The prospect of managing Euston Station’s construction waste by rail rather than lorry is back on the table for HS2 Ltd.
- HS2 Ltd originally faced backlash in 2022 for opting to use lorries to transport spoil from Euston Station following a design change.
- A conveyor belt at Old Oak Common has demonstrated the potential to reduce road transport by 700,000 lorries.
- Ongoing station design revisions funded privately could reintroduce non-road waste transport solutions.
- Officials weigh the feasibility of rail transport amidst evolving development plans for Euston and its surroundings.
HS2 Ltd is revisiting proposals to transport construction spoil from Euston Station via rail, a plan initially shelved in 2022 in favour of road transport. This shift in plans had ignited public discontent due to the increased reliance on lorries, sparking hopes for a more sustainable alternative.
At its Old Oak Common site, HS2 has successfully implemented a conveyor belt system capable of removing substantial volumes of waste and thereby significantly reducing road congestion from heavy lorry traffic. This innovation has set a precedent for Euston, where current revisions of station designs are taking place.
The number of platforms at the proposed Euston Station has been reduced to six, aligning with privately funded development visions. These plans open the possibility of revisiting rail solutions to manage waste, as emphasised by recent discussions within the Euston Partnership Board.
Following former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to remove direct control from HS2 over the station project, the company has prepared minimum viable product (MVP) proposals. These include exploring rail-based spoil removal, especially as wider developments, potentially including 10,000 homes, are considered.
Despite detailed studies since 2016, including eight consultancy reports, rail waste removal remains under scrutiny. Expedition Engineering completed a report last autumn, yet financial transparency on these studies remains elusive, as reflected in HS2’s reticence to disclose expenditures.
Local MP Andy Slaughter has welcomed HS2’s reconsideration of rail transport options, labelling previous decisions to excluded rail as ‘ridiculous’. “We are still awaiting confirmation of the Euston link, but using rail for spoil removal is both logical and necessary,” he asserts.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh recently highlighted the urgency surrounding Euston plans in the context of an upcoming spending review. She recognises the importance of establishing a plan for what many see as unfinished business left by previous administrations.
The revival of rail transport plans for Euston Station’s spoil demonstrates HS2 Ltd’s ongoing adaptation to both logistical challenges and public expectation.
