HS2 Euston Tunnelling Commences with Ministers Vowing National Service Station
The final phase of tunnelling for the HS2 high-speed railway into central London has officially begun, with ministers pledging that the redeveloped Euston station will be sufficiently large to serve the entire nation. The ceremony to switch on the first of two massive tunnel boring machines took place at the Old Oak Common station site in west London, marking a significant milestone for the long-delayed project.
Ceremonial Launch with Key Political Figures
Rail Minister Lord Hendy and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones presided over the event, activating the initial 1,600-tonne German-made machine. This equipment will now commence drilling the 4.5-mile route from Old Oak Common to Euston, a process anticipated to take between 12 and 18 months to complete. The occasion symbolises the Labour government's commitment to revitalising HS2 after previous setbacks.
Darren Jones emphasised this point, stating: "One of the key commitments of this Labour government was to get HS2 back on track and that's exactly what we've been doing." He highlighted that finishing the tunnel would open up enormous development opportunities for London, benefiting the broader economy through a focus on affordable housing, job creation, and commercial investment.
Euston Station Design and Future Capacity
Lord Hendy revealed that the spatial design for Euston station is nearly finalised, with indications it may feature more than the originally planned six high-speed platforms. This expansion aims to accommodate additional future HS2 services extending beyond Birmingham. Hendy explained: "It will leave space for more because it's inconceivable that we would build this railway at this level of expense without filling it full of trains to go everywhere in Britain."
He further envisioned trains departing from Euston for most of northern England, enhancing connectivity across the country. However, specific details regarding the terminus's final design and funding mechanisms remain to be disclosed publicly.
Project Reset and Revised Timeline
HS2 Ltd's Chief Executive, Mark Wild, described the tunnelling start as "a show of confidence that HS2 will be built into central London and kickstart economic growth." Wild has been overseeing a project reset involving a restated timeline and budget, expected to gain government approval and be released in the coming months.
While refraining from exact dates, Wild confirmed that HS2 will now be completed and opened in the 2030s, acknowledging that the previous 2033 deadline was unattainable. He cited a key lesson from early project difficulties: "Go slow to go fast," advocating for thorough preparatory work to avoid future delays.
Economic Impact and Government Support
The government asserts that extending HS2 to Euston is essential for unlocking the project's full economic potential. Estimates from Camden Council suggest that redevelopment around Euston could contribute £41 billion to the economy by 2053, supporting approximately 34,000 new jobs. This follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves' authorisation in late 2024 to proceed with the Euston link, reversing the suspension imposed by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2023.
Initially, HS2 trains will operate solely between Birmingham and Old Oak Common. The resumption of work towards Euston represents a critical step in realising the railway's broader ambitions, despite the cancellation of the northern phase to Manchester. As tunnelling advances, the government continues to engage with potential developers and partners, aiming for a blend of public and private investment to transform the Euston area into a hub of growth and opportunity.
