Construction has officially commenced on the tunnel that will connect the HS2 rail line from west London to Euston in the heart of the city.
The initial boring machine, named Madeleine, was activated by Rail Minister Lord Hendy and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones at Old Oak Common on Tuesday. This 190-meter-long machine is named in honor of Madeleine Nobbs, the former president of the Women’s Engineering Society.
Details of the Boring Machines
Madeleine is anticipated to complete the 4.5-mile journey from Old Oak Common in approximately 18 months. The machine was constructed in Germany and shipped to the UK in segments. A crane weighing 750 tonnes was utilized to position the components into an underground chamber at one end of the station, where it was reassembled.
Another boring machine, named Karen after the UK’s first female train driver, will be launched in the upcoming months. Both machines will excavate and construct the tunnel simultaneously, fitting concrete segments as they progress. The tunnel will reach depths of up to 50 meters.
Government Statements and Project Challenges
During the launch event, Jones remarked, „There’s nothing boring about tunnel boring. We’re enhancing connections between major cities across the nation to create more opportunities for trade, social interaction, and collaboration, marking a turnaround from years of decline.“ Lord Hendy described the machines as „an engineering marvel“ and noted that they bring the HS2 project closer to realization.
Despite the commencement of construction, HS2 has faced numerous delays and its costs have escalated to a minimum of £80 billion. Reports suggest that the total cost could reach £100 billion, even after the cancellation of extensions to Manchester and Leeds. A revised budget and timeline for HS2 is expected to be released this year.
Future of the Euston Station
Previously, there were uncertainties regarding whether HS2 would terminate at Euston due to financial constraints. In 2023, the development of a new station at Euston was temporarily halted. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak indicated that extending the high-speed rail line from Old Oak Common to Euston would depend on private investment.
However, in her October budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged the necessary funding to initiate tunneling work towards Euston. The exact design and completion timeline for the station remain unclear.
A new organization, the Euston Delivery Company, is set to oversee the development of what the government describes as an „affordable and integrated transport hub,“ although this entity has yet to be formed.
The government asserts that extending HS2 to Euston is crucial for unlocking the project’s full economic potential. One of the most significant expenses associated with HS2 has been the requirement for tunnels, as the route from London to Birmingham must be as straight as possible to facilitate high-speed travel.
Local opposition and the necessity to safeguard areas of outstanding natural beauty along the route have contributed to rising costs. The first phase of the project was originally slated to open by the end of this year, but this deadline has been postponed to between 2029 and 2033, with further delays now confirmed.
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Wim van ‚t Einde auf Unsplash
