HS2’s journey into central London took a stop closer yesterday (Tuesday January 27), after a huge tunnel boring machine started its passage from Old Oak Common to Euston station.
Taking HS2 to Euston is essential to unlocking the project’s full economic potential, with estimates from Camden Council suggesting a mix of new homes and commercial development at Euston could add £41 billion to the economy by 2053 and support 34,000 new jobs. The tunnelling in Old Oak Common is part of the wider progress on HS2, and follows the completion of 23 miles of tunnels, 19 bridges, and two viaducts along the rail line’s route from central London to Birmingham.
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones and Rail Minister Lord Hendy visited Old Oak Common station alongside the HS2 Chief Executive Officer Mark Wild and Transport for London Commissioner Andy Lord, to switch on the 1,624-tonne tunnel boring machine, which will excavate a 4.5-mile tunnel between the two stations.
The machine works by both excavating and constructing the tunnel as it goes, slotting concrete segments into place to build the structure through which HS2’s trains will travel. It is the first of two tunnel boring machines that will construct the two parallel tunnels to Euston and is named ‘Madeleine’ after the former president of the Women’s Engineering Society, Madeleine Nobbs.
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy said: “It was brilliant to switch on the tunnel boring machine at Old Oak Common today – not just because it’s an engineering marvel – but because it brings HS2’s journey to Euston another step closer to reality.
“We’re putting HS2 back on track, and taking the railway into central London is crucial to unlocking its full potential to deliver more jobs, more homes, and a long-term boost to the whole British economy.”
Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones, said: “There’s nothing boring about tunnel boring. Today’s launch was a brilliant moment for the UK’s railways, building on six major rail tunnel and road milestones completed ahead of schedule last year.
“We’re boosting the links between our big cities across the country to create more opportunities for people to trade, meet and socialise with each other, turning the corner on years of decline.”
With over 33,000 people currently working to build the high-speed railway, HS2 is estimated to add £10 billion to the west London economy over the next decade, including 22,000 more homes, and almost 19,000 new jobs. Once complete, HS2 will mean faster, better train travel for passengers between London and Birmingham and beyond.
Today’s milestone comes as HS2 Ltd’s CEO Mark Wild leads a comprehensive reset of HS2, to ensure the new railway is delivered safely between London and Birmingham at the lowest reasonable cost.
He said: “On my first day at HS2, I unveiled the Euston TBMs as they were being prepared to build the Euston Tunnel. Just over a year on, we’re beginning to excavate the tunnel – a show of confidence that HS2 will be built into central London and kickstart economic growth.
“Over the past 12 months, I have been leading a comprehensive reset across HS2 to get it back on track and I am confident that we’re on the right path to delivering HS2 safely and efficiently. The start of tunnelling here today is a part of the strong foundations we can build upon to completing HS2 and deliver better journeys for rail passengers.”
The delivery of the Government’s plans for Euston will be taken forward by a new body, the Euston Delivery Company. Once established, the Company will lead delivery of an affordable and integrated transport hub – including the new HS2 station, the redevelopment of the existing station, and upgrades to the London Underground station – along with commercial development across the Euston campus.
Image credit: HS2
