HS1 Ltd kick-starts St Pancras passenger capacity improvements plan

HS1 Ltd has issued a call for bidders to help boost passenger capacity at St Pancras station, with the aim of development work beginning in 2027 or 2028.

Last year, a report commissioned by HS1 Ltd said the terminal can cope with 1,800 passengers per hour passing through departures, but that improvements could boost this to 2,400 and 5,000 in the medium and long terms respectively.

Eurostar, off the back of a record year for passenger numbers, has said it wants to increase the number of people it carries from 19 million to 30 million by 2030, while two potential rivals (Virgin and Evolyn) are also looking to start their own international services.

The notice issued by HS1 Ltd says: “HS1 is now ready to progress to design and operational concept feasibility stage (RIBA2) to design, deliver and operationalise a reconfigured ground floor operation of the International Zone, delivering a significant uplift in passenger capacity that meets forecast requirements until at least 2035 and potentially 2040.”

The deadline passed on February 12, with the contract period running from May 12-December 15, although these have been described as “indicative”.

A statement said: “HS1 will review the timescales that bidders propose to complete the work. HS1 believes a four- to six-month duration for RIBA2 is a good target to aim for.”

HS1 Ltd wants the work to look at boosting capacity over the next two to three years as well as the next decade. The timeframe will depend on how the design develops and discussions with Eurostar, but HS1 Ltd said it “aims to be ambitious and start the first phase of works in 2027- 28”.

Similar proposals are also being drawn up by SNCF for Paris Gare du Nord. It’s hoped this scheme will be delivered in 2028.