Press release: Progress at Euston as HS2 completes key demolitions on site of London’s new high speed station

The clearance of the buildings to the west of the station reveal, for the first time, the full scale of the new platforms and concourse that will built as part of Britain’s new high speed rail project.

Once complete, HS2 will more than double the number of seats out of Euston during peak hours, with the first 6 new 400 metre platforms built adjacent to the existing station to reduce disruption to passengers during construction.

The 6 month demolition of the former Ibis hotel on Cardington Street, was completed this week. The painstaking demolition of the 5 storey, 380 room building, involved the removal of almost 9,000 tonnes of material with 95% set to be recycled or reused on site.

The clearance of the nearby disused National Temperance Hospital buildings was delivered in 2 stages, with the second half, the Insull wing, now also complete. More than 6,000 tonnes of material were removed during the project with 95% set to be recycled or reused.

Two time capsules, discovered during the work, are being conserved by HS2’s archaeological sub-contractors and will be kept for future study and display in the community. The hospital, which closed in 1990, was the first institution to end the routine use of alcohol in medicine.

Both projects were delivered by HS2’s enabling works contractor, a Costain and Skanska joint venture (CSjv), working with subcontractors Keltbray. A top-down demolition technique was used, with machines lifted onto the top of the buildings and protective screening around the outside to limit noise and dust.

HS2 Ltd’s Euston Programme Director, Rob Carr, said:

HS2 will transform Euston, delivering much-needed extra capacity, improving journeys and unlocking the opportunity for thousands of new jobs and homes.

Across the capital we are making strong progress, with our pioneering archaeological programme in full swing and more than two thirds of demolitions now complete. I’d like to thank all those involved in helping us hit this latest milestone and I look forward to the next steps in delivering HS2’s new gateway to the capital.

CSjv Programme Director, Peter Jones, said:

Costain and Skanska’s HS2 teams are making significant progress across London and we are pleased to confirm the successful completion of these 2 key building demolitions. We currently have more than a thousand people on site in the Euston area, working on a further 25 projects, most of which will be completed this year.

The work is part of HS2’s enabling works contracts, which involve archaeology, demolitions and clearance, utilities and work to deliver new tree planting and wildlife habitats as part of HS2’s ‘green corridor’ project.

Across the capital, more than two thirds of demolitions have now been completed, with more than a thousand people at work on the project. Nationwide, more than 7,000 jobs are supported by HS2, both directly and across the UK-wide supply chain.

Last month, HS2 appointed Mace/Dragados as Euston’s Construction Partner. They will work with HS2 Ltd and designers Arup/Grimshaw to complete the design and build the new station.

A masterplan for the wider development of public land around the station is being developed by Lendlease and could deliver 2,000 new homes and 15,000 jobs unlocked by the arrival of HS2.