HS2’s London terminus, Euston station, has reached an important milestone, with significant structural work complete. The site is now prepared for the construction of the new high-speed rail infrastructure.
The teams performing the preparatory works have demolished the station’s western ramp and canopy, removing both concrete and steelworks.
The structure that has been removed was built in the 1960s, when Euston was modernised and the West Coast Main Line was electrified.
It took a total of 13 weeks to remove the ramp and canopy, with a three-week halt on works between 23 March and 16 April as a result of coronavirus restrictions. Demolition works resumed once safe working practices were implemented. Network Rail, HS2 Ltd and its contractor Skanska delivered the work.
The demolished ramp served as an access route to the parcel deck on the first floor of the station, which housed a Royal Mail parcel sorting depot. Euston had three dedicated platforms for parcel freight. The ramp provided vehicular access to the depot. However, parcels then started being moved by road as a result of increased demand for passenger rail services, whereupon the depot was closed.
Incidentally, this demand is also why HS2 is necessary.
“The completion of this work is of major significance to the HS2 project and marks the first piece of structural work to Euston station in order for the new high-speed station to be built. It has been an important and successful piece of collaborative work between the teams at HS2, Network Rail and Skanska.”
HS2 Ltd have created a time-lapse video showing progress of the demolition works at Euston.
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