Grimshaw's HS2 Euston station set to be scaled back, says minister

Plans for Grimshaw's HS2 station at Euston look set to be scaled back, with the minister in charge of the project saying a reduction in scope would help with risk and cost.

HS2 was ordered to take another look at the plans for the station following the last year’s independent review of the project led by Doug Oakervee.

The scheme is set to be built by a Mace/Dragados joint venture and has a £1.3bn price tag.

Transport for London (TfL) board papers from last month said the Department for Transport (DfT) had instructed HS2 to proceed with further development of a plan for 10 HS2 platforms, a single-stage build and increased oversite development but that the impact on TfL’s infrastructure, operations and passengers needed further consideration.

The existing plan for the station is to build 11 platforms, a new concourse and connections to local Underground stations.

But HS2 minister Andrew Stephenson has made it clear the scaled-back version of the scheme is likely to be adopted.

In a written answer, he told MPs: “The [DfT] and HS2 Ltd have, with the involvement of other partners including Network Rail, been investigating whether building the HS2 station in a single phase would speed up delivery and reduce the overall cost.

“This work is currently indicating that moving to a slightly smaller HS2 station at Euston would have some benefits in terms of reducing costs and risks."

Other groups involved in the scheme include local council Camden and Lendlease, which is leading the overstation development.

A decision on the final proposal is currently expected next month.