Rail minister Lord Hendy has said 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 has been delayed by a row over funding, but Lord Hendy stressed the development was “now essential” given that HS2 trains will stop at Euston after passing through Old Oak Common in west London.
Progress and key appointments
“We're making progress on Euston,” the peer told the Railway Industry Association on Wednesday. He explained: “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.
Euston Campus and wider London plans
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 and 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 reforms could allow the London Mayor to borrow some £10 billion to invest in key infrastructure, and could see progress on the Bakerloo line extension, the West London Orbital and the DLR extension to Thamesmead.
Delivery structure and funding
The Euston Delivery Company will lead on design for Euston. HS2 Ltd remains responsible for delivering the section of the 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 a public private partnership could be part of the 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.
