Eurostar and London St Pancras Highspeed are collaborating to double St. Pancras International's capacity
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The project will undergo three phases of improvements, phase one optimises security and border crossing processes, phase two improves the international area, and phase three considers further capacity enhancements
Eurostar and London St Pancras Highspeed (formerly HS1) are collaborating on plans to double station capacity at St. Pancras International. A study commissioned by London St Pancras Highspeed predicts that traffic is expected to triple by 2040, increasing from 11m to 35m passengers annually. In response, Eurostar recently announced plans to expand its destinations from London to include Geneva and Frankfurt.
Other operators are also looking to enter the cross-channel rail market in the UK. London St Pancras Highspeed and Eurostar have signed a letter of intent, signifying their shared ambition to take significant steps to expand capacity. Originally designed by William Henry Barlow and opened in 1868, the Grade I-listed station underwent a refurbishment in 2007. However, changing travel patterns, post-Brexit border checks, and growing international rail demand have led to capacity constraints.
Architects Hawkins\Brown have been appointed to undertake and deliver a comprehensive design and feasibility study. The study aims to assess how the ground floor layout for the international zone of the station can be reconfigured to accommodate more passengers and enhance operational efficiency. Ramboll will provide various services, including structural engineering, building services engineering, sustainability consultancy, border control consultancy, and historic structures expertise.
Richard Thorp, Chief Operating Officer at London St Pancras Highspeed said, 'We're delighted to be working with Eurostar to expand capacity at St. Pancras International. With growing passenger demand for international train travel, it is important that St Pancras International station is future-proofed and optimised to accommodate this. With a shared ambition and collaborative approach, we can ensure our iconic station is ready to support this demand, and we're looking forward to getting started on a new era of connectivity between London and Europe.'
Hawkins\Brown Partner Andrew Davies said, 'We are very excited to be leading a hand-picked multi-disciplinary team to unlock this constrained site and enable millions of people to enjoy affordable, high-speed, and sustainable journeys to and from Europe. Our challenge is to create a welcoming new landmark for London, with minimal disruption to the travelling public in the process.'
The team of sub-consultants also includes Momentum Transport Consultancy, Gardiner & Theobald, Montagu Evans, OFR and Wilmott Dixon. Together, the group will take the project through RIBA Stage 2, focusing on feasibility and concept design for a re-configured international departures area. The concept design and feasibility study is due to be finished towards the end of 2025, when formal design and construction plans are to be developed.
Phase one is a review of short term improvements within the current footprint, including optimising the security and border crossing processes to deliver an uplift of 2,700 passengers per hour in the next three to four years. Phase two is to improve the international area and its connection to the main concourse, helping the passenger flow. Completion of this is expected by 2028. Phase three is consideration of further capacity enhancements in the 2030s, potentially relocating the arrivals flow upstairs.
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