On the morning of October 13, 2025, the city of Birmingham witnessed a historic engineering achievement as the colossal tunnel boring machine (TBM) named Elizabeth broke through at Washwood Heath, completing the major tunnel excavation for the High Speed 2 (HS2) railway between London’s Old Oak Common and the West Midlands. This moment, as reported by multiple sources including BBC and local engineering publications, marks not just the end of a physical journey beneath the earth, but a significant leap forward for Britain’s most ambitious infrastructure project in generations.
Elizabeth, stretching an impressive 125 metres in length, set off from near Water Orton in March 2024. Alongside her identical twin, Mary Ann, she carved out the 5.6-kilometre Bromford tunnel, a feat that now allows high-speed trains to glide beneath the M6 motorway and the eastern outskirts of Birmingham. Together, these two TBMs excavated over 1.8 million tonnes of material and installed 5,804 concrete ring segments, forming the eastbound and westbound twin tunnels. The spoil—mostly Mercia Mudstone—hasn’t gone to waste; it’s being used to landscape the railway approaches to the city, turning what was once deep underground into the foundation for new green spaces.
With this breakthrough, excavation is now complete for the entire 45 kilometres of deep-bore tunnel stretching from Old Oak Common in west London all the way to Birmingham Curzon Street station. For the teams on the ground, attention now turns to the complex work inside the tunnels themselves: building internal walkways, ventilation shafts, and cross passages—essential for both safety and the smooth running of future high-speed services.
Alan Morris, HS2 Ltd’s Construction Delivery Director, summed up the mood among the workforce: “Today’s breakthrough is a major milestone for the tunnelling team here in Birmingham and for the HS2 project. All eight of the TBMs digging our tunnels between Old Oak Common and Curzon Street have now broken through, which means that the focus is now on the internal concrete work, ventilation shafts and cross passages. I’m immensely proud of the men and women who have worked round the clock to bring our TBMs and their crews home safely, and I look forward to seeing more progress inside the tunnels in the years ahead.”
Each TBM is a marvel of modern engineering, essentially functioning as an underground factory. Operating around the clock, these machines excavate earth, install concrete segments, and grout them into place, advancing at an average rate of 10 metres per day. Across the HS2 project, eight TBMs have already been deployed, excavating a staggering 9.4 million tonnes of material. The longest tunnel, under the Chilterns, stretches for 16 kilometres, while the Northolt tunnels run for 13.5 kilometres beneath West London. A shorter 1.6-kilometre twin-bore tunnel passes beneath Long Itchington Wood in Warwickshire, and two more TBMs are set to launch in 2026 to start digging the tunnel from Old Oak Common to London Euston.
But the story of HS2 is not just about tunnels. The project, often described as the most ambitious infrastructure development currently underway in the United Kingdom, is transforming the nation’s transport landscape in ways that reach far beyond the rail corridor. At its peak, HS2 employs more than 30,000 workers across 350 active construction sites, supports over 500 apprenticeships, and involves thousands of UK-based supply chain firms. Once operational, the line will accommodate trains travelling at up to 360 km/h, slashing the journey time between London and Birmingham to just 49 minutes—a dramatic improvement for one of Europe’s busiest rail corridors.
The engineering feats are matched by the project’s sustainability ambitions. According to project data, HS2 has achieved a 33.8% reduction in carbon emissions across active contracts compared to initial baselines. This has been accomplished through the use of electric machinery, circular economy practices, and extensive tree planting. Concrete and steel—two of the heaviest contributors to construction emissions—are now being produced with low-emission alternatives, and over 95% of construction materials from excavation are being reused or recycled on site. These efforts are positioning HS2 as a benchmark for greener construction, with lessons that could shape future infrastructure projects across the UK.
Birmingham’s city centre is already feeling the effects of HS2’s arrival. The new Curzon Street Station, under development, is set to become one of the most energy-efficient rail terminals in Europe. When complete, it’s expected to bring a surge in visitor numbers, business travel, and regional investment, stimulating sectors like hospitality, property, and local transport. The synergy between high-speed rail and private hire transport—particularly chauffeur services—will likely become a cornerstone of Birmingham’s mobility network, as increased passenger traffic creates new demand for premium ground transportation.
Meanwhile, at the southern end of the route, London is undergoing its own transformation. The redevelopment around Euston Station and Old Oak Common represents one of the largest urban regeneration efforts in the capital. The new Euston HS2 terminus, covering 60 acres, will integrate rail, retail, commercial, and public spaces in a single modern complex. Old Oak Common will serve as the temporary main HS2 terminus until Euston’s completion, connecting to the Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express. These hubs are expected to become magnets for international businesses, hotels, and conferences, all of which will rely on improved transport links and high-quality ground services.
The economic impact of HS2 is already significant. The Washwood Heath site, which will become the nerve centre for HS2’s operations—including the Depot and Network Integrated Control Centre—is one of three key sites in the West Midlands, alongside new stations in Birmingham and Solihull. These sites are driving multibillion-pound redevelopment projects forecast to add £10 billion to the region’s economy over the next decade. Nationally, HS2 has generated an estimated £20 billion in regional contracts and secondary investment, revitalising dormant industrial zones and strengthening local economies, particularly across the Midlands.
Of course, the project has not been without controversy. Political debate over costs and timelines continues, and some sections of the public have voiced concerns about environmental impact and value for money. Yet, as the tunnels break through and the stations rise, HS2 stands as a defining symbol of modern British engineering and ambition. Its legacy will extend beyond faster trains—it will reshape city planning, mobility trends, and the very fabric of regional economies.
With the hard work of thousands now moving above ground, the next chapters of HS2 will unfold not just in concrete and steel, but in the daily lives and opportunities of the communities it connects. The tracks laid today are setting the course for how Britain moves, works, and grows for decades to come.
