PLANS to knock down and completely rebuild Britain's sixth-busiest railway station as part of the HS2 high-speed project have been scrapped.

Instead, under new proposals, Euston station in north London will be developed by keeping most of the existing platforms and improving the station around them.

The work will include 11 new platforms for high-speed trains to be built around the existing platforms at Euston, which will be HS2's London terminus.

The change-of-plan proposals were announced today by HS2 Ltd – the company which is responsible for developing and promoting the first phase of HS2, costing £16.3 billion, and running from London to Birmingham.

The station is used by tens of thousand of Scots travelling to and from London every year.

Camden Council in north London has been expressing concern about not only the station plans but also proposals for the area around the station.

Euston currently has 18 platforms. The revised plan involves keeping platforms 1-15, with the exception of platforms 9 and 10 which will be removed so that adjacent platforms can be lengthened.

The plan also includes a new Euston Tube station ticket hall and a sub-surface pedestrian link between Euston and the nearby Euston Square Underground station.

There is also potential for new homes, offices and shops in a total redevelopment which would be completed by 2026 when the first phase of HS2 is due to become operational.

HS2 Ltd chief executive Alison Munro said: "HS2 will be an engine for growth that supports the creation of thousands of jobs for Londoners, provides extra space on the existing lines for more commuter services, and improves connectivity with our great northern cities."