'Enormous project' moving ahead to upgrade major London station for HS2 line, says rail minister

Rail minister Lord Hendy has told how a major revamp of Euston station is “progressing” as part of the masterplan for Britain’s high speed line. The upgrade of the London terminal station has been dogged by a row over funding the project. But former London Transport Comissioner Lord Hendy stressed that the development was “now essential” given that the HS2 line will stop at Euston, after having gone through Old Oak Common in west London.

“We're making progress on Euston,” the peer told the Railway Industry Association on Wednesday. Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy Getty He explained further: “We've formed a delivery company, we've appointed a chief executive, shortly to appoint a chair. We need to get going on that. “Euston is now, if not urgent, is now essential because the Government's decided rightly to take HS2 to Euston and it's the largest development site in London.”

He stressed that City Hall, Transport for London, Camden Council, Lendlease, Crown Estates, HS2 and Network Rail were involved in the huge scheme. “We have to do a good job there. That's an enormous project in itself,” he added. HS2 tunnel boring machines excavate euston tunnel Getty The Euston Station Campus will include the new HS2 station, redevelopment of the existing Network Rail station, and upgrades to the Tube station and local transport facilities.

The Department for Transport is working with Lendlease, its master development partner, on a blueprint for new homes and a commercial/life sciences hub around Euston. The project is one of several that could pick up speed after Lord Khan was given new powers in the Budget over income tax and business rates. The landmark reforms could allow the London Mayor to borrow some £10 billion to invest in key infrastructure. The changes could see progress on the Bakerloo line extension , the West London Orbital and the DLR extension to Thamesmead.

Cross-channel trains are also due to stop at Stratford International Station under a £20 million City Hall plan. Old Oak Common Station will be London’s new rail super hub Luke Reevey Major work is taking place on building London’s new rail super hub at Old Oak Common which will link up the HS2 line with the Elizabeth line, Great Western Railway and Heathrow Express services. The Euston Delivery Company will lead on design for Euston. HS2 Ltd remains responsible for the delivery of the section of the HS2 route from Old Oak Common to the boundary with the HS2 Euston station at Hampstead Road Bridge, including the Euston approaches.

The Government has confirmed that a Euston Delivery Company will be set up to oversee development of the whole Euston Campus, and that the use of a public private partnership could be part of delivering funding for the new HS2 station. Ministers are seeking to attract private investors to provide additional finance to build the new high speed line station.