05.09.17
Time for HS2 phase 1 civil contractor designs should be ‘revisited’
The time allowed for developing civil engineering contractor designs should be “revisited” for HS2 phase 1, according to a recommendation by the project’s Independent Design panel.
In her latest report, Professor Sadie Morgan, chair of the panel, stated that HS2’s approach to engaging with the newly appointed phase 1 contractors in ‘hot start’ sessions on meeting the scheme’s design vision was welcome.
But whilst supportive of the emphasis on design quality, she stressed that the panel recommends that the time allowed for contractor design “should be revisited”.
“Allowing sufficient time to develop civil engineering designs could result in significant long-term gains,” argued Prof Morgan.
The panel chair, who is one of the founding partners of Bermondsey-based architectural practice dRMM and a National Infrastructure Commissioner, said that after raising concerns about the ambition of civil engineering common design elements earlier in the year, the panel is now happy with the progress made.
“Since then, design work has been taken forward by Knight Architects, working with landscape architects MRG Studio,” she said. “The panel considers the common design elements developed through this process to be best practice, and recommends that this approach should be applied to all relevant work on both phase 1 and phase 2.”
At this stage, one of the key messages from the panel to HS2 Ltd has been the importance of learning lessons from the design evolution of the phase 1 route for the benefit of phase 2. In particular, it has been highlighted for the potential views from the train to make travelling by HS2 an enjoyable experience and for the railway to become a positive addition to the landscape.
Prof Morgan noted that there are many places on Britain’s existing railway where this is the case. For example, the line from Sheffield to Manchester runs through the Peak District.
“However, there will only be views from the train on the phase 1 route from London to Birmingham for approximately seven minutes of the journey,” she explained. “The panel would encourage HS2 Ltd to aim to improve on this for phase 2, celebrating the new railway through the quality of its design, rather than hiding it behind embankments.”
A special design panel has also been set up for Euston station, consisting of members nominated by Camden Council, the GLA, TfL and HS2 Ltd, and they have been invited to comment on the design work commissioned.
A station area masterplan is currently being developed by consultants Wilkinson Eyre. Prof Morgan said that given the length of time before Euston station will be complete, which has been a sticking point for the project, the panel has urged HS2 Ltd to “build in flexibility to futureproof the masterplan”.
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