At the Euston Approaches scheme for High Speed 2, Cementation Skanska demonstrated integrity, collaboration and technical expertise on one of the UK’s largest and most complex piling programmes. Working as a trusted partner, the team delivered 1,831 piles across a kilometre-long site, providing certainty on programme, cost and quality despite challenging conditions adjacent to the West Coast Main Line.

By bringing together in-house design, fabrication and testing capability and working collaboratively across the supply chain, the project became a platform for industry-leading innovation — from high-capacity load testing and zero trim piling to low-carbon materials and diesel-free operations. These advances not only supported safe, efficient delivery but also set new benchmarks for sustainability and engineering performance across the sector.

The project

Cementation Skanska was appointed by the Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture to deliver one of Europe’s largest open-cut retaining structures for High Speed 2 — equivalent in size to four football pitches.

Located at Euston Approaches, the site which stretches for almost a kilometer will house the new lines into Euston Station.

The project involved the installation of rotary bored piles over five assets, in total comprising of 1,831 piles, 18,000m³ of concrete and 120,000 tonnes of steel — making it one of the most significant piling programmes on HS2.

By June 2023, when some HS2 works were paused, over 65% of the project had been completed — alongside the introduction of multiple industry-leading innovations.

The five packages were:

nearly 800 piles to create the Euston scissor box (ESB) to carry the new running lines
over 600 piles for two new bridge structures – Hampstead Road Bridge (HRB)
and Granby Terrace Bridge (GTB) – to take traffic over the new lines
343 piles for an extension to the scissor box known as Euston throat retained cut (ETRC)
134 piles for the new Euston cavern shaft (ECS).

Specialist expertise

From the outset, Cementation Skanska brought together in-house design, technical and carbon specialists to deliver an integrated, low-carbon solution.

This included bespoke plunge columns manufactured at our steel fabrication facility, alongside a high-capacity, in-house developed pile load testing system operated by specialist field data teams.

Innovation

The project has acted as a testbed for pioneering approaches to low-carbon construction and advanced engineering.

High-capacity testing

The introduction of the MLT60 system, capable of testing up to 60MN, significantly enhanced pile testing capability, providing detailed insight into ground behaviour at unprecedented loads.

Low-carbon plant and fuels

Following successful trials, all site plant was converted to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), making the site diesel-free from March 2022 and saving hundreds of tonnes of carbon.

Further innovation included trials of the world’s first plug-in electric high-capacity drilling rig and a hydrogen dual-fuel piling rig — demonstrating the potential for future zero-emission construction plant.

Zero trim piling

Developed with partners, this industry-first technique removes excess concrete while still wet using a vacuum system — improving safety, reducing noise and cutting material use. The approach has already saved nearly 500 tonnes of carbon on this project.

Low carbon materials

A 79% cement replacement concrete mix was introduced, delivering significant embodied carbon savings.

In addition, a UK-first basalt-reinforced guidewall system replaced traditional steel and concrete, reducing embodied carbon by over 50%.

Outcomes

Despite its scale and complexity — and works taking place close to the West Coast Main Line — the project has progressed safely and in line with programme and budget.

More importantly, it has set new benchmarks for innovation and carbon reduction in piling and ground engineering.

The project’s impact has been recognised through multiple industry awards, particularly for its advances in safety, sustainability and engineering innovation — demonstrating how collaboration and forward-thinking can drive meaningful change across the sector.

Awards include:

BCIA health and safety award 2021 – zero trim piling
FPS sustainability award 2021 – zero trim piling
CN specialist innovation of the year 2021 – zero trim piling
FPS carbon reduction award 2022 – low carbon guidewall
GE editors award 2022 – zero trim piling.

*all data correct as of June 2023

HS2 Euston Approaches

HS2 Euston Approaches

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