British government commits to HS2 central London tunnels

THE Labour government’s first budget includes a commitment to fund the construction of two single-bore tunnels to bring the HS2 project into central London. The previous government had paused tunnelling work on the final 13km taking the high-speed line connection from Old Oak Common in west London to Euston in central London as it sought alternative financing options, which were ultimately not pursued.

Delivery company HS2 Ltd has already lowered the two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) into place at Old Oak Common and preparatory works will be complete by the end of this year, to allow tunnelling to commence from next year onwards.

The funding commitment to the Euston tunnels was widely expected, though when delivering her budget, the chancellor of the exchequer, Ms Rachel Reeves, omitted to clarify how much this section of line would cost. She also made no reference to how the redevelopment of the Euston terminus itself will be funded.

Earlier this month she announced an independent review designed to reign in escalating costs associated with the £66bn, 225km high-speed line between London and Birmingham.

Other projects

Reeves also used her budget speech to confirm that previously-announced rail projects will be fully-funded, including the first two sections of the East West Rail project in southern England and the Transpennine Route Upgrade project in northern England.

Stage 1 of East West Rail from Oxford to Milton Keynes is due to open to in 2025, following successful operation of the first test train on October 21.

The chancellor revealed a £1.3bn fund for urban transport initiatives that will help finance projects such as the proposed West Yorkshire Mass Transit light rail scheme connecting Leeds and Bradford.

Reaction from the rail industry has been favourable. “Rail suppliers welcome today’s decision to progress HS2 tunnelling between Old Oak Common and Euston, which means that there will now be a sufficient basis for future north-south capacity,” says Railway Industry Association (RIA) CEO Darren Caplan.

 “We also applaud the Chancellor’s commitment to continue delivering the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU), the delivery of East West Rail, and the other announcements to strengthen both national and regional rail connections. Additionally, we welcome that the Budget document specifically acknowledges the value rail manufacturing brings in the UK.”