Team celebrates completion of foundations at HS2’s Old Oak Common high speed station

The reinforced concrete base slab covers 45,000 square metres – equivalent to more than six football pitches – and reaches nearly two metres thick at its deepest point. 

This latest phase of construction, which began in April 2023, required 1.3million m³ clay to be excavated for the structure, consisting of 76,000 cubic metres of concrete and 17,000 tonnes of reinforced steel.

We’re delighted to have reached this important milestone. It once again showcases the fantastic collaborative efforts of all those on HS2, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA and our supply chain partners.

Nizar Awad, Old Oak Common Project Director, SYSTRA Ltd

Nizar Awad, Old Oak Common Project Director at SYSTRA, said: “We’re delighted to have reached this important milestone. It once again showcases the fantastic collaborative efforts of all those on HS2, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA and our supply chain partners – bringing together multi-discipline specialists to efficiently deliver the latest stage in the development of this major transport superhub.

“With more than 90% of the low-carbon CCOPact concrete used for the base slab being manufactured on site, we have reduced lorry movements and CO2 emissions. This process contributed to the station being recognised as BREAAM outstanding, meaning we’re very proud to be recognised as being in the top 1% of environmentally friendly buildings in the UK.

“Work is already underway on the six HS2 service platform which is an exciting stage as people passing the site will really start to see this station take shape.”

The station is being delivered for HS2 by the Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA joint venture (BBVS JV). Once completed, it will be one of the best-connected stations in the UK, with the six underground platforms allowing new high-speed services to run between London and the West Midlands, and eight surface-level platforms providing an interchange to the Great Western Railway, Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express.

The latest phase of construction follows the excavation of the box which was completed in the summer of 2024.

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