HS2 has reached another significant construction milestone with the installation of the first high-speed rail platform at Old Oak Common station in West London. This marks the first platform completed anywhere on Britain’s new high-speed railway and provides a visible glimpse of what future passengers can expect.
The new platforms are being installed inside the 850-metre-long underground station box at Old Oak Common — a future super-hub station that will serve six high-speed rail platforms and eight additional platforms for Great Western Mainline, Elizabeth Line, and Heathrow Express services.
All six HS2 platforms are being constructed simultaneously in three ‘island’ blocks. Each platform will serve HS2’s 400-metre-long trains and has been engineered with a void below to house essential services such as power infrastructure.
The installation involves placing nearly 2,000 large pre-cast concrete slabs, manufactured offsite by Explore Manufacturing in Worksop, Nottinghamshire — a clear demonstration of UK industry playing a leading role in delivering better rail connectivity.
Old Oak Common station is being delivered by Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA (BBVS JV), HS2’s construction partner. With the underground station box now complete, the project focus is shifting from civil engineering to fit-out and systems installation. This includes mechanical, electrical, and public health (MEPH) works.
“The installation of the first passenger platforms represents a real step forward in taking HS2 from purely a construction project to the future of Britain’s railways,” said Huw Edwards, Delivery Director for Stations and Placemaking at HS2 Ltd.
This work continues alongside tunnelling preparations at the station’s east and west ends, which will connect Old Oak Common into the wider HS2 route via the Northolt Tunnel and eventually toward Euston.
When complete, Old Oak Common will be one of the UK’s best-connected stations, with access to over 100 destinations across high-speed and conventional rail networks. The station is also set to become the 42nd stop on the Elizabeth Line.
While this progress is significant, it comes during a period of strategic review for HS2. HSRG will continue to champion this transformation, supporting the sector’s shift from civil construction to operational readiness, and showcasing the UK supply chain’s contribution to delivering a modern, high-capacity railway for future generations.