Tags: High Speed 2

Lift off! Giant HS2 tunnelling machine to be given a new lease of life

After completing the 3.5-mile mission to excavate the first section of the Bromford Tunnel, linking North Warwickshire and Birmingham, HS2’s giant tunnel boring machine (TBM) Mary Ann is being stripped down ready to take on her next tunnelling adventure. The first stage in the process to disassemble the 1,600-tonne machine saw the TBM’s 8.62-metre diameter […]

First platforms for Britain’s new high speed railway installed at Old Oak Common

HS2 revealed the first section of platform to be installed for Britain’s new high-speed railway on Thursday 29th May. In the underground box at HS2’s Old Oak Common station, engineers have begun installing the platform slabs which passengers will use when boarding or alighting high-speed trains in the future. Six platforms are being built at […]

Record number of unemployed secure jobs on HS2

HS2 has delivered another boost to regional economies along the West Midlands – London growth corridor, as it confirms that over 5,000 unemployed people have progressed into jobs on Britian’s biggest construction project. The latest data from HS2 Ltd shows that an additional 199 jobseekers joined the workforce between January and March 2025, taking the […]

HS2 donates 4,000 tonnes of ballast to Bluebell Railway as part of landmark Railway 200 celebrations

HS2 is donating thousands of pieces of ballast to the Bluebell Railway in West Sussex as the rail industry unites to mark 200 years of rail travel.  Some 4,000 tonnes of ballast – enough to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool – was used by HS2 in specially constructed sidings while tunnelling work was carried out […]

HS2 celebrates first Birmingham tunnel breakthrough

HS2’s giant tunnelling machine Mary Ann broke through today [9th, May 2025], marking the end of her mission to excavate the first bore of what will soon become the longest railway tunnel in the West Midlands. The 125-metre-long machine began constructing the 3.5-mile (5.8km) Bromford Tunnel, which starts at the Warwickshire village of Water Orton […]

Second HS2 tunnelling machine completes 5-mile drive under the capital

HS2 has completed a 5-mile tunnel drive under London – using one of four giant tunnelling machines being deployed to build the railway’s Northolt Tunnel. The tunnel boring machine (TBM), named Caroline, is the second machine to reach the Green Park Way vent shaft in Ealing. The 2,050-tonne TBM broke through into an underground reception […]

HS2 marks major construction milestone at Long Itchington Wood Tunnel

HS2 has announced a significant milestone at Long Itchington Wood Tunnel in Warwickshire – the first deep tunnel on the high-speed route to complete its civil engineering phase. The development at the one-mile-long twin-bore tunnel – which will carry the railway into the West Midlands – sees vital elements, including three cross passages, concrete finishing […]

HS2 invites tenders for the supply and operation of elevated transit system at Solihull’s Interchange

HS2 Ltd today invited two companies to tender for a major contract to supply, operate and maintain its elevated transit system at Solihull’s Interchange Station, following a shortlisting process. The search for a contractor to supply, operate and maintain HS2’s Automated People Mover (APM) sees POMA S.A.S and Doppelmayr Cable Car UK Ltd called to submit tenders. […]

HS2 contractor secures top standard for inclusion and diversity progress

HS2’s construction partner for Old Oak Common Station has achieved a prestigious workforce award – recognising its outstanding commitments to diversity and inclusion. Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA, which is leading construction of the west London super-hub, was awarded the Clear Assured Platinum Accreditation by the Clear Company, it is announced today. The accreditation – the highest possible Clear Assured […]

HS2 launches new Innovation Accelerator focusing on rail systems and future maintenance

The company delivering HS2 today announced the cohort taking part in its seventh Innovation Accelerator programme to develop new railway technology to help build the line and underpin future train service reliability. As the programme to deliver HS2 begins to pivot towards rail systems installations, so its Innovation programme is looking to harness the latest […]