HS2 Moves Closer to Central London with Start of Euston Tunnelling

HS2 has begun tunnelling toward central London as the first tunnel boring machine started work on the Euston Tunnel. The move marks a key step in extending high-speed rail services from Old Oak Common to a new station at Euston.

The 1,624-tonne machine was switched on at HS2’s Old Oak Common site in west London. It will dig a 4.5-mile tunnel beneath the capital, forming the final underground approach to a new high-speed station at Euston. The launch was attended by Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones, who formally set the machine in motion.

Why the Euston Tunnel?

The start of tunnelling is a key step for HS2, particularly after years of uncertainty over whether the high-speed line would be extended beyond Old Oak Common into central London.

The Euston Tunnel will eventually allow high-speed services to run directly into a new terminus at Euston, which is essential to delivering the railway’s planned capacity and economic benefits. The tunnel is also central to wider regeneration plans for the area, linking the HS2 station with housing development, jobs, and improvements to local transport.

Speaking at the launch, Lord Hendy said the work brought HS2 closer to its original purpose of serving central London, adding that reaching Euston was necessary if the project was to deliver its full value. Darren Jones said the start of tunnelling followed progress on several major infrastructure schemes and was part of efforts to strengthen connections between UK cities.

Once complete, the Euston Tunnel will bring HS2’s deep-bore tunnelling to 27.5 miles between London and Birmingham. Around 23 miles of that work have already been finished.

Programme Reset and Next Stages

The tunnel launch comes as HS2 continues a major programme reset aimed at stabilising costs and setting clearer construction sequences and delivery dates. The reset is being led by Mark Wild, who took over as chief executive of HS2 Ltd in 2024.

HS2 is due to open in phases, with initial services planned between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street. Services to Euston will follow at a later stage.

The new HS2 station at Euston will be delivered by a dedicated Euston Delivery Company, responsible for coordinating the high-speed station, redevelopment of the existing mainline station, and upgrades to the London Underground. Research commissioned by Camden Council in 2024 estimated that regeneration linked to the project could add £41bn to the UK economy by 2053 and support around 34,000 jobs.

Running around the clock, the machine is expected to advance at about 16 metres per day. Excavated material will be moved through the Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel to Willesden Euro Terminal and then transported by rail, reducing heavy vehicle movements on local roads.

The first machine has been named Madeleine, after Madeleine Nobbs, a former president of the Women’s Engineering Society. During its journey, it will pass beneath Kensal Green cemetery, including the grave of engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.