Yesterday, Tuesday 23rd January was a key milestone for HS2 when the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) named Lydia broke through underground into Old Oak Common station to complete the boring of the Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel.

The 853m long tunnel from the Atlas Road logistics hub is being constructed to assist in building the line eastwards towards Euston. It is designed to allow construction materials for the Euston Tunnel to be transported to the site without affecting local road traffic or disrupting work elsewhere at the Old Oak Common station.

Lydia was repurposed from a machine previously used to construct the Elizabeth Line, and local community selected the name Lydia after Lydia Gandaa who is a former teacher at Old Oak Common Primary School.

Construction of the tunnel is being carried out by HS2’s London tunnels contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV).

The TBM broke through into the eastern end of the underground station box at Old Oak Common, which is is being constructed by a separate joint venture – Balfour Beatty Vinci SYSTRA (BBVS JV).

Later this year, two more TBMs will be lowered into the box and assemble them ready for the HS2 line to be constructed onto Euston. After the TBMs have been lowered into place, BBVS JV will seal the box and continue with construction of Old Oak Common station.

Whilst boring the tunnel, Lydia removed 62,000 tonnes of London Clay which was transported by rail for reuse across the UK. It has also installed 535 concrete rings, with the segments for the tunnel rings being manufactured by Pacadar UK in Kent.

When completed, the logistics tunnel will be used to deliver materials, including over 56,000 concrete tunnel segments manufactured by STRABAG in Hartlepool, to the two Euston Tunnel TBMs; the tunnel will also be used to remove the excavated London Clay.

Construction of a logistics tunnel was the optimum solution for HS2 to reach Euston as transporting materials in by road and removing excavated spoil out would have been a logistically challenge and have significant impact local roads. Once the Euston Tunnel has been completed and HS2 is operational, the logistics tunnel will be backfilled.

After the government announced Network North last October, alternative funding arrangements are being sought to deliver Euston station, although work is continuing with preparations and design for HS2 to extend from Old Oak Common to Euston.

Speaking about the milestone, Malcolm Codling, Project Client Director for HS2 Ltd said: “The completion of the Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel takes us closer along our journey to bring HS2 into central London at Euston. The logistics tunnel is a key part of our plans to enable us to construct the Euston Tunnel and will reduce the construction impact on the local community.”

James Richardson, Managing Director of Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, said: “The completion of the Atlas Road logistics tunnel paves the way for us to deliver our London tunnels programme to Euston. The tunnel supports our continued commitment to reducing cost and carbon by removing one million lorry journeys off London’s roads.”