Old Oak Common is a new railway hub being developed in London, UK, as the only station that will connect the new High Speed 2 (HS2) railway line with the Elizabeth line.
The station is expected to be the biggest sub-surface station in the UK upon completion.
Recommended White Papers
Recommended Buyers Guides
The new railway station is part of one of the biggest regeneration projects being undertaken in the UK, which is expected to generate 65,000 jobs and create 25,000 homes. It is being undertaken by HS2 joint venture with an estimated investment of £1bn ($1.24bn). Construction of the project is expected to commence in November 2019 and be completed in 2026.
The new station is expected to handle 250,000 passengers a day. It is expected to reduce traffic congestion and travel time for people travelling towards the north of London for work. It is also expected to offer improved connectivity to three airports, including London Heathrow.
Old Oak Common location details
The Old Oak Common station is being developed in the Old Oak Common area located between East Acton and Harlesden in London. It will be developed on the site of the former Old Oak Common railway depot, as well as a brownfield land owned by the government.
Built in 1906, the Old Oak Common railway depot or the Great Western Railway (GWR) depot was used to service and maintain trains operated by GWR. The depot was closed in December 2018 to make way for the development of the Old Oak Common station.
Old Oak Common station features
The Old Oak Common station will stretch across a length of 1km and extend up to 20m below ground level. It will include six 450m-long high-speed underground platforms and eight above-ground platforms. Four of the above-ground platforms will serve the Elizabeth Line, while the remaining will be retained for potential expansion to connect to Wales and the West of England.
The underground platforms will be linked to conventional rail services at ground level through a shared overbridge and escalators. A spacious concourse, featuring a soaring vaulted roof inspired by the heritage of the site, will link both parts of the station.
The station will also include a public realm and a green park built above the escalators. The park will feature trees, water features, and event spaces.
Construction details
Site clearance and demolition work to enable the construction of the Old Oak Common railway station have commenced.
Eight buildings and the historical sheds of the Old Oak Common railway depot have been demolished. Works also included the removal of old heavy machinery, wheel lathe sheds and 40,000t of concrete slab.
The next step is the clearing of site obstructions and removal of extra building materials from the construction site. More than 98% of the material recovered from the demolition will be reused or recycled during construction.
Contractors involved
Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA HS2 joint venture is responsible for the construction of the Old Oak Common station. The contractors in the joint venture include Balfour Beatty Group, VINCI Construction UK, VINCI Construction Grands Projets and SYSTRA.
Work includes construction, commissioning and final design of the Old Oak Common station.
Costain Skanska joint venture was appointed as the enabling works contractor. The JV has subcontracted Erith and McGee to clear the site in preparation for construction.
WSP and WilkinsonEyre were responsible for the design of the new station.
