The planning application for HS2’s London super hub, Old Oak Common, has been approved.
The news means that a joint venture of Balfour Beatty, Vinci and Systra (BBVS), which was awarded the contract to build the new station in September 2019, can now progress with its work.
The station, which will meet a ‘BREEAM excellent’ standard, will have 14 platforms, six of which are for high-speed services and eight of which are for conventional services. There will also be an 850m-long station box with enough capacity to accommodate passenger growth until 2041.
The station will also feature a sequence of interlocking curved roof forms, designed to enhance the open environment of the station and provide natural ventilation. The arch forms will also reduce the need for columns to support the roof and provide clear sight lines, allowing views across the station. And new public spaces are being created as part of the design including a new public square directly outside the station.
The station design development has been led by engineering professional services consultancy WSP with architectural support from WilkinsonEyre.
When operational, the station will be used by up to an estimated 250,000 passengers each day and is set to become one of the busiest railway stations in the country.
Matthew Botelle, HS2 Ltd’s stations director said: “The planning approval for the Old Oak Common super-hub station is an important milestone in the delivery of Britain’s new world-class low carbon railway. Building a new railway station for the UK on this scale and size will be an incredible achievement for British engineering.
“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. We will continue to work with OPDC and other local partners to ensure that this opportunity is maximised.”
