HS2 tunnelling begins but delays and £100bn costs spark fresh doubts

Tunnelling work has officially begun for the HS2 rail link between London Euston and Old Oak Common. The project, plagued by delays and soaring costs, now faces fresh scrutiny as two giant machines start digging 50 metres underground. Local leaders and business groups continue to demand clearer plans for regenerating the area around Euston station.

The latest phase of HS2 sees two tunnel boring machines, named Karen and Madeleine, excavating a 4.5-mile tunnel over the next 18 months. These machines will operate at depths of up to 50 metres below the surface, marking a key milestone in the troubled project.

HS2 has faced persistent setbacks since its inception. Construction costs have surged by over £37 billion since 2012, pushing the total estimated bill beyond £100 billion. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander recently delayed the project's completion date to 2033, years behind the original schedule. Multiple attempts have also been made to scrap sections of the route entirely. Despite the progress underground, concerns remain about the project's broader impact. Camden Council has long called for detailed regeneration plans aligned with its Euston Area Plan framework. The local authority wants the scheme to deliver 2,500 new homes and 15,000 jobs on site. Meanwhile, business group Business LDN has urged the government to provide a 'credible plan' for revitalising the area around Euston, a major transport hub in Central London.

The tunnelling work signals a step forward for HS2, but questions over costs, timelines, and local benefits persist. With completion now pushed to 2033, the focus remains on whether the project will meet its economic and regeneration promises. Camden Council and business leaders continue to push for concrete commitments on housing, jobs, and infrastructure improvements.