HS2 Launches Third Tunnel Boring Machine in London

Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV) has launched HS2’s third London tunnel boring machine (TBM), ‘Lydia’ to construct the Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel.

This tunnel will be used to deliver materials and remove spoil from the northern portal where HS2’s Euston twin tunnels will be constructed.

Engineers assemble HS2 TBM 'Lydia' at Atlas Road, London
Engineers assemble HS2 TBM ‘Lydia’ at Atlas Road, London

The 847-tonne TBM was launched from the Atlas Road site in North Acton. From here, it will bore an 853-metre tunnel to the Old Oak Common Station site.

The tunnel drive will take around six months using 4,264 concrete segments that will form 533 tunnel rings. The segments each weigh over 3 tonnes and have been produced by Pacadar.

Tunnel segment rings, made by Pacadar UK, ready to construct the Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel
Tunnel segment rings, made by Pacadar UK, ready to construct the Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel

The Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel will be used to transport 8,010 tunnel segment rings to construct the Euston tunnel. These segment rings are being manufactured by STRABAG in Hartlepool and will be delivered without using road transport.

Malcolm Codling, HS2’s Project Client for the London Tunnels, said:

“The Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel is key to how we will be constructing the Euston Tunnel between Old Oak Common and HS2’s Euston station. The logistics tunnel allows us to take 70,000 lorry journeys off the local roads that would otherwise have been required and will reduce the impact of HS2’s construction on the local community.”

The TBM being used to construct the tunnel has been constructed by Herrenknecht using components from TBM ‘Ellie’, which was previously used to bore 2.3 miles for the Crossrail project.

James Richardson, Managing Director of Skanska Costain STRABAG JV, said:

“This is our third TBM to launch in London and later this year we will have five machines operating. Four of these will be boring the HS2 tunnels, linking West Ruislip and Old Common. Today’s launch is significant as it is not used for the operational railways, but will create a direct link to between our logistics hub and Old Oak Common, allowing us to transport tunnel segments and spoil without using local roads.”

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