Old Oak Common Station: Project Profile of London’s HS2 Super-Hub

Old Oak Common (OOC) station is a landmark railway infrastructure project engineering a critical multi-modal interchange for London’s transport network. As the United Kingdom’s largest newly-built station, it integrates High Speed 2 (HS2) with conventional rail services, designed to accommodate 250,000 daily passengers and anchor significant urban regeneration in West London.

Technical Specifications

The engineering scope of Old Oak Common station is defined by its massive subterranean structure and advanced integration features. The core of the project is an 850m-long, 20m-deep underground station box, which required the excavation of approximately 930,000m³ of London Clay. This was managed using a dedicated spoil conveyor system to minimise lorry movements on local roads. The station’s foundation relies on approximately 1,600 reinforced concrete piles. OOC will feature 14 platforms in total: six 420m-long platforms for HS2 services are located within the underground box, while eight 240m-long platforms for conventional services (Great Western Main Line and Elizabeth Line) are situated at surface level. Seamless interchange is facilitated by a shared overbridge and escalators. The station’s design, by WSP and WilkinsonEyre, has achieved a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating, incorporating a vaulted roof for natural light, an open-plan layout for natural ventilation, and extensive energy-optimisation systems including occupancy and daylight sensors.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Transport Integration: OOC creates a pivotal link between the new north-south HS2 line and London’s east-west Elizabeth Line and Great Western services, fundamentally reconfiguring passenger flow and reducing congestion at existing central London terminals.
• Catalyst for Urban Regeneration: The station is the cornerstone of the UK’s largest regeneration project, projected to stimulate the creation of 65,000 jobs and 25,000 new homes in the Old Oak and Park Royal development area.
• Benchmark in Sustainable Infrastructure: With a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating, the project sets a new standard for sustainable construction and operation through innovations like the spoil conveyor system, energy-efficient design, and the creation of a new public parkland above the HS2 platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will Old Oak Common station open?
Old Oak Common station is expected to open between 2029 and 2033. The opening will likely be phased, with services commencing as the different stages of the High Speed 2 network become operational.

Who is building Old Oak Common station?
The main construction contractor for Old Oak Common station is the Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA HS2 (BBVS) joint venture. This group is a collaboration of Balfour Beatty Group, VINCI Construction UK, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, and SYSTRA.