UK: The planning application for what HS2 Ltd says will be ‘the largest new railway station ever built in the UK’ was approved on May 19 by Old Oak & Park Royal Development Corp, which is leading regeneration of the former railway and industrial site at Old Oak Common in west London.
The design of the station has been led by engineering consultancy WSP with architectural support from WilkinsonEyre.
A joint venture of Balfour Beatty, Vinci and Systra was awarded the construction contract in September 2019 and is set to begin work on-site in June.
The station is expected to become one of the busiest in the country, used by up to 250 000 passengers/day. It will have an 850 m long station box, with six platforms for high speed services and eight for conventional services on the Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express and Great Western routes.
The station is designed to meet the BREEAM standard for buildings that reduce energy usage and materials waste, and minimise their environmental impact.
‘Striking’ design features will include interlocking curved roof forms to provide natural ventilation to minimise the need for long-term energy consumption. The arches will also reduce the need for support columns, providing clear sight lines to help users orient themselves.
There will be a dedicated bus and taxi facility, drop-off and pickup areas, pedestrian and cycle links, and upgraded road infrastructure. New public spaces will include a square directly outside the station with seating and cycle parking.
‘HS2 is set to be a catalyst to transform this area of West London, making it one of the best connected development sites in the UK’, said HS2 Ltd’s Stations Director Matthew Botelle.
