The latest figures reveal significant progress in the HS2 project, with the majority of deep tunnel drives and earthworks for the high-speed railway now completed. Despite facing numerous challenges, substantial civil engineering work has been accomplished, laying the groundwork for the 140-mile line between London and the West Midlands.
Tunnel Excavation Milestones
To date, 70% of twin-bore tunnels have been excavated, covering 38 of the 55 miles planned for the railway. This includes the breakthrough of two giant machines earlier this year, which completed the 10-mile Chiltern Tunnel – the longest and deepest on the route. In total, five out of 12 tunnel drives have been completed, with the most recent being the first of four machines digging the Northolt Tunnel in north-west London, which finished its drive on December 19.
Earthworks and Station Preparations
The figures also show that 58% of earthworks for the railway’s cuttings, embankments, stations, and landscaping have been completed, amounting to nearly 92 million cubic metres of material moved. Significant progress has been made in central Birmingham, preparing for the construction of the city's Curzon Street station.
Viaducts and Bridges Construction
Construction has commenced on 158 out of 227 viaducts and bridges, with 13 already built. In September, HS2 completed the deck of the 2.1-mile Colne Valley Viaduct – the UK’s longest rail bridge, which will carry the railway over a series of lakes and waterways on the north-west outskirts of London. Progress has also been made on the six cut-and-cover, or green, tunnels being built along the route, with the 700m tunnel near Burton Green in Warwickshire passing the halfway mark in November.
HS2 Ltd’s Construction Update
These achievements are detailed in HS2 Ltd’s new Construction Update. HS2 is being developed as a long-term strategic asset for the UK, aiming to provide more reliable and faster journeys between Britain’s two largest cities while alleviating congestion on existing lines and creating more space for local and freight services.
Challenges and Future Plans
Despite recent progress, HS2 continues to face significant challenges, particularly regarding costs. Mark Wild, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive, who joined the company this month, is leading a comprehensive review of the programme, set to report next year. His efforts will lead to a full reset of HS2, providing renewed certainty to the government over cost and schedule. He outlined HS2’s challenges in evidence to the Commons Public Accounts Committee on December 19.
Mark said, “HS2 represents a significant investment in Britain’s future, and in the last month, I’ve been inspired by the hugely impressive feats of civil engineering taking shape right along the route. New railways provide better journeys and boost economic growth by fuelling investment in communities and businesses. The prize is clear. However, the programme is in a very serious situation that requires a fundamental reset to enable it to be delivered to the lowest feasible cost. I am committed to delivering this reset over the coming year to ensure the railway can be brought into service safely and efficiently.”
Bicentenary of the Railways
This year marks the bicentenary of the railways, with a series of events planned in 2025 to celebrate 200 years since the first steam-hauled passenger train operated on the Darlington and Stockton Railway. This historical milestone provides a significant backdrop to the ongoing construction of HS2 – the latest and most advanced addition to the UK rail network.
Employment and Future Milestones
Over 31,000 people are employed on the HS2 programme, with 350 active construction sites along the route. Upon completion, multiple systems such as tracks, overhead lines, and power will be installed to transform HS2 into an operational railway. In November, HS2 Ltd announced the winners of contracts to deliver these critical rail systems, with companies being brought together under the collaborative Rail Systems Alliance structure in 2025 to efficiently manage the complex interfaces between them.
In the coming year, HS2 expects to achieve several major construction milestones, including:
- Excavation of the 8.4-mile Northolt Tunnel – the second longest on the line – with three tunnelling machines breaking through in 2025.
- Completion of both bores of the 3.5-mile Bromford Tunnel, a critical section of the railway that will carry the line in and out of Birmingham.
- Completion of the base slab of Old Oak Common’s huge underground station box, alongside the start of work on the station platforms.
- Completion of the first deck section of the River Tame West Viaduct, one of 13 viaducts being built for Delta Junction, the triangular section of the railway east of Birmingham that enables trains to run between London, Birmingham, and the north.
- Completion of the Copthall tunnel, a 900-metre green tunnel on the outskirts of London between the Northolt Tunnel and the Colne Valley Viaduct.
Photo credits: HS2
