🕒 Article read time: 2 minutes
HS2’s first tunnel breakthrough
Dorothy, one of HS2’s ten state-of-the-art tunnel boring machines, has made her first break through on the London to Birmingham route after eight months underground.
FIRST TUNNEL COMPLETED
Breaking through at Long Itchington Wood late last week, Dorothy completed the first of 64 miles of tunnel which will span intermittently between London and Manchester. The tunnel network is set to improve transport across the country, help level up the North and bring Europe’s largest rail project to life.
BOOSTING LOCAL EMPLOYMENT
As well as boosting local economies through fast and reliable services, the ten tunnel boring machines are already increasing employment opportunities along the route, with Dorothy alone employing 400 workers, adding to the more than 26,000 jobs created through HS2 so far.
Transport Minister Trudy Harrison MP said: “This is, quite literally, a ground-breaking moment – demonstrating that we are getting on with delivering on our promises and progressing our transformative plans to boost transport, bring communities together and level up the North and Midlands.
“As Dorothy paves the way for journeys between Birmingham and London, we continue to strive towards a greener, faster and more direct transport network. And along with our record-breaking Integrated Rail Plan, we’re boosting the economy, delivering over 26,000 jobs.”
POTENTIAL TO RELEASE RAIL FREIGHT CAPACITY
Alexandra Herdman, Public Policy Manager, Logistics UK, said: “Once the first section of HS2 has been completed, it has the potential to release considerable rail freight capacity on the existing network. The project will also play a key role in the government’s £96 billion Integrated Rail Plan.
“For these reasons, we are delighted to see HS2 pass this key milestone in its journey. Building this high-speed rail infrastructure promises to vastly improve connectivity between London, the Midlands and the North of England.”
*www.logistics.org.uk/rail
Published On: 28/07/2022 16:00:02
Comments Section
If you are a Logistics UK member login to add comments.
