HS2 TBM Sushila starts its journey to Greenford… …and Florence and Cecilia make progress

The first of two 2,000-tonne Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) has begun excavating HS2’s fivemile tunnel from West Ruislip to Greenford.

Named Sushila, after pupils nominated local teacher Sushila Hirani, it is the fourth of ten TBMs to be launched so far on the route of HS2 Phase 1 between London and the West Midlands.

Later this year, a second TBM, named after 18th century astronomer Caroline Herschel, will also be launched from West Ruislip to dig parallel to Sushila on the second of the twin-bore tunnels towards central London.

Each measuring 140 metres in length, the pair will bore for the next 22 months to a site at Greenpark Way in Greenford, where they will be dismantled.

Separately, two further TBMs will be launched next year towards Greenpark Way from HS2’s Victoria Road site.

Together, the quartet of TBMs will build some 8.4 miles of twinbored tunnels between West Ruislip and the new high-speed ‘superhub’ station at Old Oak Common.

“This launch is a landmark moment in the delivery of HS2,” said Rail Minister Kevin Foster.

“Already well under way, HS2 is set to revolutionise journeys for communities throughout the country, boost local economies and, at its peak, support more than 34,000 jobs.”

HS2 CEO Mark Thurston added: “The launch of the TBMs on the longest section of tunnels through London is a significant moment for HS2, and one that demonstrates the momentum that has built behind Britain’s flagship levelling-up project.”

Built by Herrenknecht in Germany, Caroline and Sushila will be operated by HS2’s main civils contractor Skanska Costain STRABAG JV (SCS).

Each has a cutter head that is 9.84 metres in diameter and will excavate approximately 1.2 million cubic metres of earth.

■ The West Midlands Combined Authority has welcomed figures from HS2 Ltd confirming that more than 6,800 people are now working on the construction of high-speed projects throughout the region. This number includes some 539 previously unemployed people and 344 apprentices.

HS2 workers gather for the launch of Sushila - the mega-project’s first TBM in London. Each TBM is operated by 15 people, while 56 companies were involved in getting the site at West Ruislip ready and the machines launched.