HS2 will submit plans for a new phased approach to the reconstruction of Euston for high-speed rail to Parliament next week.
The proposals recommend constructing just six of the 11 new high-speed platforms and a concourse to the west of the station by 2026.
All of the new platforms for HS2 would not be completed until 2033 – seven years later than originally planned.
HS2 said the phased approach would lead to less disruption for passengers and still allow Euston to become a “thriving transport and community hub”.
Announcing the proposals, HS2 released several new artist impressions of what the new Euston will look like. The images show a yellow hooded roof above the new high-speed platforms, similar to the one incorporated into the designs for Birmingham’s Curzon Street station.
![7 - HS2 Southern Entrance LOW RES [online]](https://r8t5y4g9.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/09/7-HS2-Southern-Entrance-LOW-RES-online-e1441794424858.jpg)
Simon Kirby, HS2 Ltd chief executive, said: “It’s time for Euston to change. Not just if it is to fulfil its historic role as the gateway between London and much of the rest of the country, but also if it’s to become a much bigger and fully accessible part of its own community.
“Just a stone’s throw away, we have seen how the stations at King’s Cross and St. Pancras have transformed the surrounding areas into vibrant and thriving locations.
“We must replicate and build on that commercial and architectural success. Now is the time for Euston to catch up with its neighbours to meet the requirements of the 21st century and beyond.”
Euston had faced demolition but in April 2013, the government preferred plans to renovate the existing 1960’s terminal instead.
The redevelopment will include better links to the London Underground.
Was it not Euston´s failure to exploit the area above the platforms for offices and housing that was so criticised in the 1960s? Are these same mistakes to be made again?
The proposed canopy for the entrance to the remodelled station is absolutely awful, thus should not be acceptable. Any other proposal would certainly be better.
Nobody seems to talk about the possibility of abstracting the London Overground services from Euston, nor the London Midland services on to other lines. These would surely liberate platforms at the station for long distance use.
Cannot we have some imaginative thinking on this project? I am afraid that, as frequently happens, proposals become established thinking which becomes immovable policy. Let us hope this is not the case.
Better to just demolish that 1960’s carbuncle and build something better from scratch.
The ability to build skyscrapers over the top of the existing Euston footprint is doubly constrained. Firstly there is a preserved sight-line from the top of Primrose Hill to St Paul’s Cathedral. Anything which impinges that sight-line will be refused planning permission. Secondly, tall buildings needs deep foundations, but beneath Euston there is a warren of inter-connecting tune lines. You might be able to build 6 or 7 storey buildings above the wings of Euston station, parallel to the tracks, but anything large and centrally-located over the station concourse won’t work.
Edit: …interconnecting tube lines …