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HS2 Hits Major Milestone as London Tunnel Construction Commences

LONDON – In a critical development for the UK's embattled High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project, construction has officially begun on the final and most complex tunnel section, which will connect the new super-hub at Old Oak Common in west London with the line's central London terminus at Euston. The milestone was marked by the launch of the first of two giant tunnel boring machines (TBMs), an event government officials hailed as a tangible sign of progress for the multi-billion-pound infrastructure programme.

This 4.5-mile "Euston Tunnel" represents the last major piece of tunnelling work for Phase One of HS2, which will eventually link London and Birmingham. The successful completion of this section is fundamental to the project's core business case, which relies on delivering passengers directly into the heart of the capital to maximise economic benefits and connectivity.

The launch signifies a pivotal moment for a project that has been plagued by delays, spiralling costs, and significant reductions in its original scope, including the cancellation of its eastern leg to Leeds and the Manchester extension. For HS2 Ltd. and the government, the start of this final London bore is a crucial opportunity to demonstrate momentum and engineering prowess.

Why This Tunnel Matters

The commencement of the Euston tunnel is more than a symbolic milestone; it is a vital step toward realising the core operational goals of HS2's initial phase.

Without this direct link, the high-speed line would terminate at Old Oak Common, an interchange station still under construction in west London. This would force millions of passengers to transfer onto other services, such as the Elizabeth Line, to complete their journey into central London, severely undermining the project's headline promises of speed and convenience.

Rail Minister Lord Hendy, present at the launch, described the moment as bringing "HS2's journey to Euston another step closer to reality," underscoring the strategic importance of the connection.

The Engineering Powerhouse: TBM 'Madeleine'

The workhorse for this colossal task is a 190-metre-long TBM named 'Madeleine'. The machine's launch represents the culmination of a significant logistical and engineering effort.

• Designation: Madeleine, named in honour of Madeleine Nobbs, a former president of the Women's Engineering Society, reflecting a tradition of naming TBMs after inspiring women in science and engineering.

• Manufacturing and Assembly: The machine was manufactured in Germany by Herrenknecht, transported to the UK in sections, and meticulously reassembled within a massive 85-foot-deep underground "box" at the Old Oak Common site. A 750-tonne crane was required to lower the components into place.

• Operation: As Madeleine advances, its rotating cutterhead will excavate the earth while the machine simultaneously installs a ring of concrete segments to form the tunnel wall. It will dig at depths of up to 50 metres below ground, navigating the complex subterranean environment of London.

• Timeline: The journey from Old Oak Common to Euston is projected to take approximately 18 months.

A second, parallel TBM named 'Karen'—after Karen Harrison, the UK's first female train driver—is scheduled to launch in the coming months to excavate the adjacent southbound tunnel. Together, the two machines will bore a total of nine miles.

Project in Focus: The SCS JV Contract

This section of the HS2 route falls under the management of the Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture (SCS JV), which holds the contracts for the London tunnels. The work is among the most complex on the entire HS2 route, requiring navigation around London's existing underground infrastructure.

The two TBMs will operate 24/7, staffed by crews of around 15 people. The excavated material, known as spoil, will be transported back to the surface via a conveyor system and later used for landscaping and environmental projects.

Broader Context: A Project Under Scrutiny

The launch provides a moment of positive news for a project that has faced intense financial and political scrutiny.

• Budgetary Concerns: Originally estimated to cost £32.7 billion in 2012, the budget for the complete Y-shaped network had escalated to an estimated £98 billion by 2020. The current, scaled-back version (Phase One to Birmingham and a western leg to Manchester) has an estimated cost range of £53 billion to £61 billion (in 2019 prices).

• Scope Reductions: In 2021, the government cancelled the eastern leg from the Midlands to Leeds. In 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the cancellation of the line north of Birmingham to Manchester, citing spiralling costs.

• Euston Terminus Delays: The Euston station itself has been a source of major delays and redesigns. The original plan for a sprawling 11-platform station was paused due to cost concerns and is now being redeveloped as a more modest 6-platform, privately-funded station, a move that has pushed back the project's central London completion date.

At the launch, Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, sought to frame the project in terms of national renewal. "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," he stated.

What's Next?

With 'Madeleine' now operational, the focus shifts to a period of intense, non-stop construction deep beneath London.

• 'Karen' Launch: The second TBM, 'Karen', will be launched from Old Oak Common in the coming months to begin boring the second of the twin tunnels.

• Tunnel Completion: The 18-month boring schedule puts the Euston tunnel's structural completion in late 2025 or early 2026. This will be followed by the complex process of track-laying and systems installation.

• Station Construction: Work will continue concurrently at the Old Oak Common and Euston station sites. The successful integration of the tunnels with these stations remains a critical dependency for the project's final delivery.

While the physical journey of the TBM has just begun, the political and financial journey of HS2 is far from over. This milestone, however, demonstrates that despite the controversies, the core London-to-Birmingham section of the high-speed railway is now tangibly tunnelling its way toward completion.