Old Oak Common HS2 platforms finished but conventional rail delayed to 2029
Residents near the West London station face eight more years of construction disruption before full services begin
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HS2 has completed construction of six 450-metre platforms at Old Oak Common station in West London, marking a milestone for the project. The platforms, built using 1,946 pre-cast concrete slabs, will serve high-speed trains when the station opens. However, conventional rail services, including the Elizabeth line and Great Western Main Line, will not begin until 2029 due to a planned blockade to Paddington.
Construction challenges and delays
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The platforms were assembled from slabs manufactured in the East Midlands, each weighing between four and five tonnes. Teams worked from both ends of the site, meeting in the middle to form three island-style blocks. A void beneath the platforms allows for electrical and service installations. HS2’s station construction partner, Balfour Beatty Vinci Systra (BBVS), oversaw the work, which included pouring concrete for 1.59-metre-high invert walls.
Recent heatwaves forced adjustments to the construction schedule. HS2 senior project manager Russell D’Urso said teams began concrete pours earlier in the day and reduced volumes to manage the extreme temperatures. BBVS project director Steve O’Sullivan added that temporary structures and safety monitoring were required to prevent the walls from collapsing during excavation.
Tunnel progress and future phases
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Two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) launched from Old Oak Common earlier this year are expected to reach Euston by 2027. The machines will connect the station to HS2’s central London terminus. Skanska Costain Strabag (SCS), HS2’s London tunnels contractor, is set to break through the west wall of the underground box by November, though some on-site workers believe this could happen sooner.
Work on the conventional platforms has already started but cannot be completed until a 12-day blockade to Paddington is implemented. HS2 project client director Dave Lock said negotiations with Network Rail are ongoing, with the blockade not expected before 2029. The blockade will allow the existing Great Western Main Line track to be realigned to reach the new station.
What happens next for residents
Construction at Old Oak Common will continue, with the first part of the station’s roof scheduled for installation in early 2027. BBVS area manager Lucy Craggs said the project has provided learning opportunities for young engineers, with skills developed on-site being shared with the Euston development team. The station’s completion remains dependent on the 2029 blockade, which will finalise the conventional rail connections.
Questions this report answers
+When will Old Oak Common station open for conventional rail services?
Conventional rail services, including the Elizabeth line and Great Western Main Line, will not start until 2029. A 12-day blockade to Paddington is required to realign tracks, and this is not expected before then.
+How long are the new HS2 platforms at Old Oak Common?
The six high-speed platforms at Old Oak Common are each 450 metres long. They were built using 1,946 pre-cast concrete slabs, with construction completed in August 2026.
+When will the tunnel boring machines reach Euston?
Two tunnel boring machines launched from Old Oak Common are expected to reach Euston by 2027. They will connect the station to HS2’s central London terminus, with breakthrough anticipated next year.
+What disruption will residents near Old Oak Common face in the coming years?
Residents on Old Oak Common Lane will see continued construction until at least 2029. The station’s roof will be installed in early 2027, and the 12-day blockade to Paddington will cause further disruption before full services begin.
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