HS2 Ltd. responds to Old Oak Common terminus and Euston Express proposals

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"This paper summarises the Promoter’s analysis of a HS2 Euston Action Group (HEAG) proposal to locate the main HS2 terminus at Old Oak Common with a link to Euston for a few HS2 trains. The link would be from Old Oak Common to the West Coast Main Line (WCML) in the vicinity of Queens Park.

"The transport and train operation conclusions of this paper are:

• Terminating all HS2 trains at Old Oak Common would reduce the HS2 overall patronage and the revenue by over 10% and t he economic benefits of the Phase by 15%. Patronage between London and the West Midlands would be reduced by over 20%;
• Compared with the Proposed Scheme for a terminus at Euston and an interchange at Old Oak Common the two terminus proposal would increase journey times for HS2 passengers to many parts of central, north and south London;
• When Phase 2 of HS2 is implemented, there would be insufficient capacity on Crossrail to accommodate HS2 passengers to Central London; and
• The proposal to run only a few classic compatible trains to Euston would not be capable of supporting a viable train service specification, nor justify the cost of the Euston tunnel. A 5-6 platform HS2 station at Euston would incur most of the property demolition, adverse environmental effect and cost of the Proposed Scheme, but result in a much reduced HS2 train service to Euston. There are therefore no viable two terminus options.

"The Promoter remains of the view that the HEAG proposal to locate the main HS2 terminus at Old Oak Common would be contrary to the principle established at Second Reading that the London terminus should be located at Euston.

"Nor would there be any purpose in further consideration of the HEAG option or any two terminus solution, as none would be capable of supporting a credible operational specification, or demonstrate sufficient passenger benefits to justify the cost."

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Link to PDF file

The Petition proposal, known as the 'Euston Express' scheme, suggests that HS2 should run on surface from Queens Park / Kilburn High Road to Euston Station. The petition contends that this proposal will result in a minimal increase in journey time and be cheaper and less disruptive compared with the Hybrid Bill scheme.

A review of the petition proposal has been carried out by C221 with input from C241 and C251. The review has only been carried out on the proposed petitioner's scheme between and Old Oak Common (OOC) station and Park Street Tunnels and excludes any potential effects at Euston station and throat.

The operational review of the Petitioner’s proposal has identified:

• The proposed infrastructure between Queens Park and Euston cannot be operated with an acceptable degree of reliability or flexibility
• It could not accommodate the proposed 2026 WCML classic train services and there would be no capacity for future growth
• The increased length of the route would potentially add 1min to 1min 30secs to the timetabled journey time.

...

"... A high level capital cost comparison has been undertaken and it has been estimated that the petitioner’s proposal is in the region of £781m more expensive than the Hybrid Bill scheme.

"A comparison between the Euston Express proposal and the Hybrid Bill scheme was under taken using the HS2 sift criteria and the Hybrid Bill scheme remains the preferred scheme."