Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA has successfully installed the first section of passenger platform at Old Oak Common, marking a major milestone for Britain’s new high-speed railway, HS2.
Engineers working within the underground station box have begun fitting the platform slabs where future passengers will board and alight HS2’s 400-metre-long trains. The six high-speed platforms—designed as three island-style structures—are being constructed simultaneously from both ends of the 850-metre-long underground station.
This installation marks the first time a platform has been revealed on the HS2 route, offering a preview of what travellers can expect when services begin. Above the base slab, construction is now transitioning from heavy civil engineering to the mechanical, electrical, and fit-out phases of the project.
To support the new platforms, 1.59-metre-high invert walls were poured, followed by the placement of 1,960 pre-cast concrete slabs. These slabs, measuring up to 4 metres by 2 metres, feature an under-platform void to house key service infrastructure such as electrical systems. The slabs are manufactured offsite by Explore Manufacturing in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, demonstrating the vital role of British industry in delivering HS2.
The underground station box structure, including a 45,000-square-metre base slab, was completed earlier this year. Above this, work is progressing on the ground floor level of the station, which will support the superstructure of what will become one of the UK’s busiest transport interchanges.
Despite this visible progress, HS2 is undergoing a comprehensive project reset under the leadership of Mark Wild, CEO of HS2 Ltd, aimed at improving efficiency and controlling costs.
Steve O’Sullivan, Project Director at Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA for Old Oak Common, commented:
“The installation of the first high-speed platforms marks a defining moment for HS2. It’s not just an engineering achievement—it signals the transition from civil works to the fit-out and systems installation phase. We’re proud to be laying the foundations for what will become a major UK transport hub.”
Huw Edwards, HS2 Ltd’s Delivery Director for Stations and Placemaking, added:
“This moment represents a significant shift as HS2 evolves from a construction project to a functioning part of the future rail network. Standing on these platforms reminds us of the long-term benefits HS2 will bring—connecting communities and transforming travel for generations.”
Later this year, work will begin on eight additional platforms at ground level for conventional rail services, including the Great Western Main Line, the Elizabeth Line, and Heathrow Express. When complete, Old Oak Common will be one of the UK’s best-connected stations, linking over 100 destinations and serving as the 42nd stop on the Elizabeth Line.
With structural work progressing above the platforms, the next phase of development will focus on building the station’s superstructure and creating a dynamic and accessible environment for passengers.
