From yesterday, 27 January, HS2’s tunnel boring machine officially started its passage from Old Oak Common in the capital’s west, to Euston station.
The government owned company said unlocking Euston is a major step for the project’s full economic potential.
The tunnelling in Old Oak Common is part of wider progress on HS2, and follows the completion of 23 miles of tunnels, 19 bridges, and two viaducts along the rail line’s route from central London to Birmingham.
Camden Council has suggested that its development alongside a mix of new homes and commercial development could add £41 billion to the economy by 2053 and support 34,000 new jobs.
To mark this milestone the boring machine was officially switched on by The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, and the Rail Minister, Lord Hendy visited Old Oak Common station alongside the Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Ltd, Mark Wild, and Transport for London Commissioner, Andy Lord.
Former president of CILT(UK) and now Ral 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."