With the final route for the HS2 rail link now confirmed, work can begin on how it will look. Design firms Arup, Mott MacDonald, WSP, Arcadis and a Jacobs/BuroHappold/Idom joint venture are all in the running to work on at least two stations as part of the £55.7 billion project.
Read more: Euston's new beacons will help blind people navigate the Tube
The overhaul of London Euston is one of the biggest architectural undertakings. Initial plans, first unveiled in September 2015, propose creating an entire new station alongside the existing Euston while also connecting up Euston and Euston Square underground stations.
Six new platforms have been proposed at the central London station, stretching out to the west as far as Coburg Street. The development work would also include the rebuilding of five existing platforms. A major new entrance to Euston station would sit directly to the west of the current entrance, on a site currently occupied by Sainsbury's.
The plans, produced by HS2 Ltd., would also include major upgrades to London Underground connections and the existing Euston site, including new shops, restaurants and cafes. The winning designers will work with HS2 to develop the design for Euston as well as two completely new stations at Birmingham Curzon Street, Birmingham Interchange and Old Oak Common in London, as well as the Euston expansion.
Five companies, including Westfield Europe Ltd. Canary Wharf Group and Land Securities have also been shortlisted to develop ideas for offices, retail space and homes around London Euston.
The new high-speed station will be delivered in two stages – phase one, which could be completed by 2026, will include the construction of six platforms for HS2 and other inter-city services between London the the Midlands and the building of a new concourse. High-speed services operated by the likes of Virgin would also use these platforms.
Phase two, complete by 2033, would focus on the construction of five further high speed platforms for services running between London, Leeds and Manchester. The new high-speed section of Euston would eventually form one giant concourse with the existing Euston, with 22 platforms in total. The plans also allow for a potential connection with Crossrail 2, should the proposed Surrey-London-Hertfordshire rail link be approved by the government.
The original Euston station opened in 1837 and was London's first inter-city train station. The current station, which was constructed in 1968, saw the demolition of a grand arch to make way for new platforms.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
