The first sections of platform for Britain's new high-speed railway have been installed at HS2's Old Oak Common station in West London.

Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA (BBVS) engineers have commenced placing the platform slabs within the underground station box, which will eventually serve passengers boarding and alighting high-speed trains.

Old Oak Common station is set to feature six high-speed platforms, designed to accommodate HS2's 400-metre trains. These are being constructed simultaneously from both ends of the station box, forming three 'island' style blocks. The completion of these high-speed platforms will precede the installation of a further eight surface-level platforms for Great Western Mainline, Elizabeth Line, and Heathrow Express services.

The platforms, the first to be unveiled anywhere on the HS2 network, offer a tangible glimpse into the future passenger experience. Their construction involves pouring 1.59-metre high invert walls, upon which 1,960 pre-cast concrete slabs, each measuring up to 4m by 2m, are lifted into place. A void beneath the platforms will allow for the installation of essential services, such as electricity. The pre-cast concrete slabs are being manufactured offsite by Explore Manufacturing in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

The structural shell of the expansive 850m-long underground station box at Old Oak Common, including its 45,000 sq/m base slab, was completed earlier this year.

Despite this progress, HS2 is currently undergoing a "fundamental reset" led by HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Mark Wild, with the aim of ensuring efficient delivery and the lowest feasible cost for the railway.

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Steve O'Sullivan, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA Project Director at HS2 Old Oak Common station, stated: "The installation of the first high-speed platforms at Old Oak Common marks a defining moment in the delivery of HS2. It's a powerful symbol of progress, not just in terms of engineering, but also highlights the change in project focus from the current civil phase of the works to the building, fit-out and the Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health phase of the works. Our teams at Balfour Beatty VINCA SYSTRA are proud to be laying the foundations of what will become one of the UK's most important interchange transport hubs."

Huw Edwards, Delivery Director for stations and placemaking at HS2 Ltd, added: "The installation of the first passenger platforms represents a real step forward in taking HS2 from purely a construction project to the future of Britain's railways. Whilst there is still much more to work to do, standing where passengers will alight HS2 services is a reminder of what this railway will achieve - creating connections between people and places, that will benefit generations to come.”

Later this year, work will begin on the eight platforms for conventional rail services. Once complete, Old Oak Common is anticipated to be one of the UK's most connected stations, offering potential access to over 100 stations across the country and serving as the 42nd stop on the Elizabeth Line.

Concurrently with platform construction, the BBVS joint venture team is also working on the ground floor level of the station, a level above the base slab, in preparation for the superstructure of the station.

Tunnelling work to link the station to the wider HS2 network is being carried out by HS2's London tunnels contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG JV. This includes preparations to launch two large tunnelling machines towards Euston from the eastern section of the underground box, and the excavation of a short tunnel connecting the station to the nearby Victoria Road Crossover Box in the western side, using the sprayed concrete lining method. The new high-speed line will then continue through the Northolt Tunnel.

Economic research published by HS2 earlier this year indicates that the new station site in West London is spearheading a £10 billion economic boost. The research, conducted by Arcadis, forecasts that within a 1.5-mile radius of Old Oak Common Station, HS2 will be responsible for generating over 22,000 homes, 693,000 square metres of commercial floorspace, and 18,782 jobs.

The new HS2 station is situated within the economic development zone where the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) is implementing its masterplan for a new district in west London. Established by the Mayor in 2015, OPDC covers an area of 650 hectares and is working to maximise regeneration opportunities and create a positive legacy for local communities.