22.07.14
Development work at Euston station set to begin
Work on the £12.5m development of Euston station is to get underway later this month, with Network Rail looking to expand the size and retail offerings at London’s fourth busiest station.
During phase one of the scheme, the piazza outside the station will be cleared of kiosks and replaced with ‘grab and go’ food units incorporated into the front of the station, providing more space and a ‘more pleasant atmosphere’. The new units will open from summer 2015.
By late 2015, an 8,000sq ft balcony – fully accessible via escalators, stairs and a lift – will be erected inside the station, featuring a new bar, a selection of casual dining outlets and a seating area overlooking the main concourse.
Hamish Kiernan, commercial retail director at Network Rail, said: “More than a million people use Euston station every week and this number is only set to grow further. Our plan for Euston will provide more space and a better atmosphere for passengers as well as an attractive mix of food, drink and shopping options for people travelling to or through the station.”
During phase two of the development scheme, the current station food court will be converted into an expanded retail area. This should be complete by the end of 2015.
Network Rail and its contractors have planned the work in order to minimise any disruption to station users during construction, with the station remaining open throughout and train services not expected to be affected.
In the longer term, Euston will undergo a major redevelopment as the London HS2 terminus. But the DfT has rejected a station design proposed by local campaigners – the ‘Double Deck Down 2’ (DDD2) – following advice from Network Rail.
But in April 2013, HS2 dropped plans for a complete demolition and rebuild, choosing instead a more modest overhaul which retains platforms 1-15 (of Euston’s 18 platforms) at their current level with some modifications (removing platforms 9 and 10 so adjacent platforms can be lengthened – resulting in 13 long platforms) but improving the station around them, with a new concourse. Eleven new platforms for high speed trains would be built next to the existing platforms.
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