Skanska along with the supply chain have successfully completed a huge programme of enabling works at Euston station for customer Network Rail.
These works have transformed the station, preparing it for the arrival of the HS2 rail line, which will connect London to Birmingham. The contract has been running for seven years and at its peak employed over 200 people.
Significant changes to Euston station were needed to prepare for a future HS2 terminus located next to the existing station where the planned HS2 route overlaps existing rail infrastructure. The enabling works have prepared the station so it can remain operational throughout the HS2 construction works.
An immense amount of planning and coordination across multiple teams, including the supply chain was required to achieve the successful completion and handover of this £450m project.
The programme of works was significant with 43 different multi-disciplinary projects taking place around Euston station to facilitate construction of a future HS2 station. These design and build projects included strengthening and cladding the station building, demolishing two platforms (30m x 300m), constructing a new maintenance delivery unit (MDU) on the parcel deck, constructing a building to house new waste compactors, a new 11kv network including four high voltage substations to power the whole station, extensive works in the basement and other significant works.
Working together the team achieved over 3.25m hours RIDDOR free, exceeded their target of 15% carbon reduction on the project with some packages achieving more than an 80% reduction. Rail social value targets were exceeded and the team worked closely with their customer and stakeholders throughout building a great working relationship.
The team achieved a Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) ‘excellent’ score for the standard of the construction activities at the station. This score was given for the team’s hard work to become a great neighbour, supporting the Euston community, meeting ambitious environmental targets and creating a team culture that promoted safety and wellbeing throughout the supply chain.
James Ralph, Project Director, said: “I am enormously proud of everyone involved in this project. The Skanska project team, along with our supply chain partners and customer Network Rail, have faced many complex challenges but have always fostered a collaborative, people-first culture.
“This has resulted in the delivery of innovative solutions and sustainable ways of working, all with an exceptional safety record. We have ensured that the main works contractors were set up for success. All this has been achieved while working in a one of the country’s busiest railway stations that’s operational 24/7 working adjacent to HS2 sites and alongside the local community to deliver long-lasting benefits and a legacy to be proud of.”
Neil Soden, Programme Manager at Network Rail said: “Working with Skanska over the last seven years we have delivered a fantastic amount of work to support the future vision of the Euston campus.
“The team worked so closely with us and all of the other station stakeholders with safe delivery and the customer outcomes always being at the heart of their purpose.
“The team’s knowledge of the station is incredible and to such an extent they have helped the station facilities team when needed. Despite the ‘HS2 pause’ last year and the impact on this programme of works, our strength has meant we have pulled together to hand the project back quickly and efficiently.”
