HS2 Ltd’s London Programme Director ROB CARR updates PHILIP SHERRATT on plans for the high-speed route into the capital
At last, construction of HS2 is getting underway. For so long a political debating point and a bill undergoing scrutiny in Parliament, there are now visible signs of work across the route.
Work at the Birmingham end of the route was officially launched by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street back in October. But perhaps most visible are the hoardings appearing in the areas all around Euston station in London.
These have been erected by the joint venture of Costain and Skanska (CSjv) which is carrying out enabling works for ‘Area South’, covering the first 25.8km out of Euston to the Colne Valley. CSjv has now been at work for over a year on these and is making good progress.
Much of this work involves demolition, for which CSjv has engaged specialist contractors Keltbray and John F Hunt. The former DB Cargo carriage sheds adjacent to the classic lines on the approach to Euston are now but a memory (p19, November issue). These are making way for what will become the site for the portals of the tunnels from Old Oak Common.
Meanwhile, to the west of the e…