HS2 Ltd names team to lead major station building programme

A team of leading architects, designers and engineers have been selected by HS2 Ltd to modernise Euston station and develop plans for new stations in Birmingham, Solihull and Old Oak Common, north-west London. The firms will be contracted to create detailed designs for the four stations, due to open in 2026:

The contracts are as follows:

• Birmingham Curzon Street – WSP UK Limited (working with Grimshaw Architects LLP)
• Birmingham Interchange – Ove Arup & Partners International Limited (working with Arup Associates and Wilkinson Eyre Architects Limited)
• Old Oak Common – WSP UK Limited (working with Wilkinson Eyre Architects Limited) north west London
• London Euston - Ove Arup & Partners International Limited (working with Grimshaw Architects LLP)

The contractors will work with HS2 Ltd to deliver a “high-quality customer experience” that includes shopping, business facilities, and opportunities for art and leisure.

The designs will place an emphasis on accessibility for all, including step-free access from street-to-seat, which is simple and easy to navigate, says HS2.

It is also seeking designs that are “timeless” and flexible so that stations can accommodate changes in technology and in the population.

Designs must also respond to the local built and natural environment, “using local materials and ensuring local people identify with their station and have pride in it”, says HS2.

An independent HS2 Design Panel, which has scrutinised HS2’s guidelines and specifications for the stations, will review the detailed designs due to be drawn up before the end of this year.

The winning teams have worked on a range of international infrastructure projects, including Gateshead Millennium Bridge, The Eden Project in Cornwall, Biljmer Arena station in the Netherlands, and the new concourse at London’s King’s Cross station.

The government expects the arrival of HS2 in London and Birmingham to pave the way for 30,000 new homes and 130,000 jobs as part of wider developments around the four stations.

HS2 Minister Nusrat Ghani said: “Appointing these leading creative firms ensures that passengers on our world-class railway will experience modern and accessible stations. I am confident that these firms will deliver these projects at value for money, with designs that are both innovative and in keeping with their surroundings.”

HS2 Ltd Chief Executive, Mark Thurston, said: “Our new stations in London and Birmingham will be at the heart of the first phase of the project, increasing capacity, improving journeys and helping to unlock opportunities for tens of thousands of new jobs and homes around what will be four new landmark buildings.

“The new HS2 stations will be designed with input from local communities, using best practice principles from stations around the world, and guidelines and specifications endorsed by an independent panel of leading architects and designers.”

HS2 Ltd has also confirmed that the following bidders have been invited to tender for the London stations construction contracts:

London Euston: Costain Limited/Skanska Construction UK Limited, Mace Limited/Dragados SA,Bechtel Limited, BAM Nuttall Limited/Ferrovial Agroman (UK) Limited, Canary Wharf Contractors Limited/MTR Corporation (UK) Limited/Laing O’Rourke Construction Limited

Old Oak Common: Balfour Beatty Group Ltd/VINCI Construction UK Ltd/VINCI Construction Grands Projets SAS/SYSTRA Ltd,  Mace Limited/Dragados SA, Bechtel Limited, BAM Nuttall Limited/Ferrovial Agroman (UK) Limited.

HS2 Ltd said the winning construction firms, in partnership with the Euston and Old Oak Common designers, will act as the management contractor, responsible for procuring, integrating and managing the supply chains.

The contracts are due to be awarded in the Autumn.

Find out more about plans for HS2 stations at Rail Stations and Property Summit