Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
In our May 2020 report, we raised our concerns over the huge uncertainty remaining for...
Conclusion
In our May 2020 report, we raised our concerns over the huge uncertainty remaining for Euston station, specifically the lack of clarity around the station build. The Department and HS2 Ltd told us at the time that although the design of Euston was ready for planning consent, they were looking into more cost-effective solutions for the station. We recommended that the Department should write to us within six months of our report to provide us more detail of its plans, including how it would be delivered.26 When the Department responded in November 2020, it stated work was ongoing to develop an optimised design and delivery strategy to address cost pressures, with any changes expected in spring 2021.27 In its update to Parliament in March 2021, the Department and HS2 Ltd flagged cost pressures of £0.4 billion relating to Euston station, and noted that work to consider opportunities, efficiencies and scope reductions was underway.28 We therefore asked the Department about what progress it had made on Euston. It told us that “some progress” had been made, such as consideration of designs for a smaller station and improved integration with the work of Network Rail, but that a final design had not been agreed. When we pressed the Department to commit to a timeframe for final decisions on the design and delivery, it informed us it hoped to report back on a design for the station by its next six-monthly update in autumn 2021.29
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.