The sequence of works between Queens Park area and Euston has been set out earlier. Depending on other works than Network Rail may wish to undertake, the overall construction time should be no longer than for the HS2 Ltd. scheme. At Euston Station, the Euston Express works, deck construction and additional platforms, can be phased between the three parts of the station platforms. This would allow at least two thirds of the current station platforms to remain operational. 7. Cost and affordability Euston Express has been little information about the detailed costs of the HS2 Ltd. scheme apart from their consultant’s commentary on an earlier version of the Euston Express proposal. This document did not cover Euston station at all, did not provide comparative costings of the HS2 Ltd. scheme, and was incorrect in a number of assumptions about Euston Express. Firstly, Euston Express does not require GC gauge infrastructure where this is not necessary because it is new construction. So the tunnels from Old Oak Common to Queens Park would be built to GC gauge, but the remainder of the works would be built to accommodate classic compatible trains. The HS2 document also omitted any information about the cost of rebuilding and lengthening and raising Hampstead Road Bridge. Fig 19 section of Hampstead Road Bridge in HS2 Ltd. scheme Secondly, considerable sums would be saved by a staggered portal arrangements for the HS2 lines near Queens Park. So it was a pity that HS2 Ltd. did not seek to discuss their findings with Euston Express before publishing their 200+ page We suggest an order of ‘rebuttal’. magnitude of cost comparison between the two schemes below: HS2 Ltd. scheme Euston Express Saving £m Trains Classic compatible yes yes Captive to GC gauge yes no use classic – compatible 50 Tunnels Old Oak Common to
The sequence of works between Queens Park area and Euston has been set out earlier. Depending on other works than Network Rail may wish to undertake, the overall construction time should be no longer than for the HS2 Ltd. scheme. At Euston Station, the Euston Express works, deck construction and additional platforms, can be phased between the three parts of the station platforms. This would allow at least two thirds of the current station platforms to remain operational. 7. Cost and affordability Euston Express has been little information about the detailed costs of the HS2 Ltd. scheme apart from their consultant’s commentary on an earlier version of the Euston Express proposal. This document did not cover Euston station at all, did not provide comparative costings of the HS2 Ltd. scheme, and was incorrect in a number of assumptions about Euston Express. Firstly, Euston Express does not require GC gauge infrastructure where this is not necessary because it is new construction. So the tunnels from Old Oak Common to Queens Park would be built to GC gauge, but the remainder of the works would be built to accommodate classic compatible trains. The HS2 document also omitted any information about the cost of rebuilding and lengthening and raising Hampstead Road Bridge. Fig 19 section of Hampstead Road Bridge in HS2 Ltd. scheme Secondly, considerable sums would be saved by a staggered portal arrangements for the HS2 lines near Queens Park. So it was a pity that HS2 Ltd. did not seek to discuss their findings with Euston Express before publishing their 200+ page ‘rebuttal’. We suggest an order of magnitude of cost comparison between the two schemes below: HS2 Ltd. scheme Euston Express Saving £m Trains Classic compatible yes yes Captive to GC gauge yes no – use classic compatible 50 Tunnels Old Oak Common to
rh150911-master-Re-Visioning-Euston.docx