Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Euston station is a key element of HS2 and will be an important transport hub...
Conclusion
Euston station is a key element of HS2 and will be an important transport hub and business area, with potential opportunities for economic regeneration at the wider site. It is intended to be the London terminus of the High Speed 2 programme, providing links to the existing railway, London Underground and other transport links.23 The build at Euston is complex, with the site positioned at a busy existing railway station in a dense city centre.24 It is currently expected to open between 2031 and 2036, a range which, the Department told us, was purposely wide to take account of the decisions the Department still needs to be made on its design and delivery.25
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 2.2 In the third HS2 6-monthly report to Parliament, the department sets out the decision to move to a smaller, simpler 10-platform design (instead of an 11-platform, 2-stage build), which can be built in a single stage and still support the full operation of the HS2 network. Moving to this revised HS2 Euston station design maintains core infrastructure capacity to run 17 trains per hour, as set out in the Phase One full business case. 2.3 The updated station design is in development and will be assured as it progresses. 2.4 The department is continuing to explore opportunities for greater integration between the HS2 and Network Rail stations through The Euston Partnership and to optimise the oversite development above the Euston terminus. Further details will be provided in the next 6-monthly report to Parliament. 8 2.5 Further to the publication of the third HS2 six-monthly report to Parliament in October, funding was approved in the Spending Review in November to support greater integration between the HS2 and Network Rail stations at Euston. HS2 Ltd and Network Rail, with support from The Euston Partnership, are working together to develop a design that optimises integration between the HS2 station and the redevelopment of the Network Rail station concourse area. This integrated approach has the potential to deliver construction efficiencies, along with significant passenger and place-making benefits at Euston. 2.6 The range for initial opening of services from Euston remains 2031-2036.