HS2 completes first tunnel cross passages

THE construction of HS2’s longest tunnels, stretching for 10 miles under the Chilterns, has begun a new phase, with the start of work on 38 cross passages linking the northbound and southbound tunnels. With the two giant tunnelling machines – named Florence and Cecilia – now almost four miles into their journeys, attention has turned to the first cross passages which will link the two parallel tunnels.

A team of miners used a remotely controlled excavator to break out of and excavate from one running tunnel to the adjacent tunnel. The passages will be between 15 and 20 metres in length and will be used in an emergency to move passengers from one tunnel to the other.