HS2 has begun tunnelling towards central London after the first of two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) was launched to construct the Euston Tunnel.
The 1,624-tonne machine was switched on at Old Oak Common station in west London and will excavate a 4.5-mile tunnel to Euston.
The launch marks the next phase of the high-speed rail project, which will eventually see HS2 services terminate at a new station in central London.
Ministers mark start of Euston Tunnel works
The TBM was launched by Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones.
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.”
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.”
HS2 programme reset and phased opening
The tunnelling milestone comes as HS2 progresses through a programme reset aimed at sequencing construction works and providing greater certainty on costs and opening dates.
The reset is being led by HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild.
When complete, HS2 will open in stages, with initial services operating between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street. Services will later extend to Euston, which is required to deliver the full capacity of the railway.
Mark Wild 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.”
READ MORE: Lichfields announces promotion of employees to senior director roles
Euston station delivery and regeneration plans
The new HS2 station at Euston will be delivered by a newly established Euston Delivery Company.
The body will oversee construction of the HS2 station, redevelopment of the existing station, upgrades to the London Underground station, and associated commercial development across the Euston campus.
Research commissioned by Camden Council in 2024 found that a locally led regeneration of Euston Station could contribute £41bn to the UK economy by 2053 and support 34,000 jobs.
READ MORE: Mansell opens MMC Centre and expanded headquarters in Oldham
Camden Council leader Cllr Richard Olszewski said:
“Euston holds a once-in-a-century opportunity to boost the national economy, build much-needed affordable homes, and create new jobs for people in Camden and beyond.
“The start of tunnelling brings us a step closer to that future, adding new momentum and even-greater confidence in Euston’s potential to be a driver of national growth.”
TBM manufacture and tunnelling logistics
The TBM was manufactured by Herrenknecht AG in Germany and delivered to the UK in 2024 before being assembled within the underground station box at Old Oak Common. Preparation works were carried out by engineers from HS2’s London tunnels contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV).
The TBM operates continuously, excavating the tunnel while installing pre-cast concrete ring segments and grouting them into place. Average progress is around 16 metres per day.
Tunnelling is supported by the Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel, completed in January 2024. The 853-metre tunnel enables access, delivery of materials and removal of spoil. In total, more than 1.5 million tonnes of excavated material will be transported by conveyor to Willesden Euro terminal and removed by rail for reuse.
Richard Adams, managing director of SCS JV, said:
“We are delighted to be commencing our final TBM drives to build the two 4.5 mile tunnels to Euston.
“Our tunnel segments and excavated material will all be transported by rail and managed through our state of the art logistics hub. This will remove over 70,000 lorry journeys [from] the local road network.”
Completion of HS2 deep bore tunnelling
The Euston Tunnel will complete the 27.5 miles of deep bore tunnelling between London Euston and Birmingham Curzon Street. To date, 23 miles of tunnelling have been completed following the completion of the Bromford Tunnel in October last year.
The first Euston TBM has been named Madeleine, in line with the tradition of naming machines after women, after former Women’s Engineering Society president Madeleine Nobbs.
