Birmingham to London: Major milestone for HS2 as tunnelling to Euston starts
The first of two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) set to connect HS2 to central London has begun its journey from Old Oak Common to Euston, marking a major milestone for the high-speed rail project.
The 1,624-tonne machine, named Madeleine, was switched on today (Tuesday 27 January) and will excavate a 4.5-mile tunnel beneath west and central London. It is the first of two TBMs that will build the twin tunnels required to carry HS2 services into Euston station.
The launch was attended by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, Rail Minister Lord Hendy, HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild, and Transport for London commissioner Andy Lord.
Taking HS2 into Euston is seen as critical to unlocking the project’s full economic benefits. Estimates from Camden Council suggest redevelopment around Euston could add around £41 billion to the UK economy by 2053, support 34,000 jobs and deliver a mix of new homes and commercial space.
The tunnelling work forms part of wider progress on the route between London and Birmingham, where 23 miles of tunnels, 19 bridges and two viaducts have already been completed.
As it moves forward, the TBM will excavate soil while simultaneously lining the tunnel with concrete segments, creating the structure through which HS2 trains will run. Madeleine is named after Madeleine Nobbs, a former president of the Women’s Engineering Society.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy said the start of tunnelling brought HS2 “another step closer to reality” and was essential to delivering jobs, homes and long-term economic growth. Darren Jones described the launch as a significant moment for UK rail, building on recent infrastructure milestones completed ahead of schedule.
HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild said the start of tunnelling demonstrated confidence that the railway would be delivered into central London, following a year-long reset of the programme aimed at improving cost control and delivery.
More than 33,000 people are currently employed on HS2. The project is estimated to add £10 billion to the west London economy over the next decade, supporting nearly 19,000 jobs and around 22,000 new homes.
Once complete, HS2 will provide faster rail services between London, Birmingham and destinations further north.