The first of two tunnelling machines has begun excavation works between Old Oak Common and Euston Station as part of HS2’s final 4.5-mile stretch into central London.
The works mark a major milestone for the project after rumours swirled in recent years that HS2 would only reach Old Oak Common in west London due to the high cost of building the remaining few miles to Euston.
Some estimates suggested that by not extending into central London, the overall economic benefits of HS2 could be halved in the long run.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said that taking HS2 all the way to Euston was “essential to unlocking the project’s full economic potential” and was part of wider progress on the project, which included 23 miles of tunnels, 19 bridges and two viaducts along the rail line’s route from central London to Birmingham.
The tunnelling process is expected to take between 12 to 18 months overall, although exact details about the terminus, upgrades to Euston Station and how it will all...