Hs2 chiltern tunnel. 5 miles) – Connecting the railway into Birmingham.

Hs2 chiltern tunnel This notification is to update you on upcoming works at our North Portal site in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire from June 2024, to construct the hoods of the tunnel, the ancillary building and complete the tunnel boring machine dismantling. Apr 11, 2025 · Contractors building the HS2 railway have completed work on a pair of innovative extensions to the southern portal of its longest tunnel to eliminate the possibility of ‘sonic boom’ being created by high-speed trains entering the tunnel at up to 200mph. patreon. The Chiltern tunnels will carry high speed trains between London and the North at speeds of up to 200mph (320km/h). Cecilia completed her journey that The second tunnel boring machine (TBM) building the HS2 high-speed railway line’s Chiltern Tunnel broke through at the tunnel’s northern portal on 21 March 2024, completing a journey that began in June 2021. Download images of the breakthrough at the North Portal, near South Heath, Buckinghamshire 3 million cubic metres of material excavated from the tunnels to be reused for ambitious chalk grassland restoration project. Bromford Tunnel (3. As part of the safety systems it is necessary to be able to provide forced ventilation for smoke control as well as intervention access for emergency services. Two perforated concrete hoods will cover the track, extending the 10 mile long tunnel into the open air. Aug 16, 2023 · Machines responsible for boring HS2's new tunnels have reached Little Missenden as they continue their 10-mile dig under the Chilterns. Oct 27, 2025 · The 10-mile Chiltern Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route. Chiltern tunnel length 16km Thanks for watching and supporting the channel. Nov 2, 2025 · HS2 will dig 32. May 6, 2025 · Amersham Headhouse and Ventilation Shaft is one of five structures that will be built to provide ventilation and emergency access to Chiltern Tunnel, which is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route. Furthermore, Chiltern Tunnel is a twin-bore tunnel stretching 16km, which will make it the longest one between London and Crewe along the HS2 route. Jul 4, 2025 · ThThe Chiltern Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route, stretching 10 miles (16km) beneath the Chiltern Hills. Along the length of the tunnels, ventilation and emergency access is provided via five shafts and associated headhouses. 6km Bromford Tunnel which carries the railway into Birmingham, with both tunnel drives expected to be completed this year. These tunnels, designed to accommodate trains operating at speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 mph), comprise two parallel bores. You can support me over onPatreon: https://www. Oct 10, 2022 · HS2’s first Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) excavating HS2’s longest tunnels have completed the first 4 miles of their drive – from the Chiltern tunnel’s south portal to the second ventilation shaft at Chalfont St Giles Download latest photos of the Chiltern tunnel and Chalfont St Giles vent shaft Jul 4, 2025 · ThThe Chiltern Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route, stretching 10 miles (16km) beneath the Chiltern Hills. The 16-km Chiltern Tunnel, the longest tunnel on the HS2 route, is now structurally complete, joint venture contractor Align has confirmed. Following the tunnel HS2 Watch was established in order to monitor the progress of HS2 construction throughout the Chilterns AONB. First HS2 'outing' for several weeks!. Apr 11, 2025 · To mitigate against ‘sonic boom’ HS2’s tunnel beneath the Chiltern Hills requires bespoke portal extensions. May 11, 2022 · The Chiltern Tunnel is being constructed as part of the HS2 rail line between London and the Midlands An investigation has begun after a fire in a tunnel being constructed for the HS2 high-speed Jun 14, 2021 · At the South Portal of the Chilterns tunnel, two vast factories are manufacturing the concrete wall segments that form the lining of the tunnels. Feb 27, 2024 · Giant tunnelling machine – named ‘Florence’ – completes 10-mile drive under the Chilterns in 2 years and 9 months. 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 thirty-eight cross pass Mar 22, 2023 · HS2 design director Kay Hughes said: “The Chiltern Tunnel north portal will be one of the least visible parts of the project, but this reveal of the final designs is a major symbolic milestone – and I’d like to congratulate Align on getting all their key design elements to this final stage of development. Grimshaw, international architecture practice, and design partners to the Align JV, welcomed the news which sees its design on various parts of the HS2 programme continue. Dec 22, 2023 · HS2, the UK's high-speed railway project, has reached a crucial stage as its Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), 'Florence' and 'Cecilia', have advanced 90% through the 10-mile-long Chiltern tunnel. These portals are unique in both form and function, integrating seamlessly with the surrounding landscape while fulfilling strict aerodynamic requirements. You can view HS2 Ltd's route map here. Sep 17, 2020 · The Chiltern Tunnel will be the longest tunnel on Phase One of High Speed Two (HS2). This marks a significant step in constructing HS2's longest tunnel, with a breakthrough expected early next year. Oct 10, 2022 · Two enormous 2,000 tonne tunnel boring machines (TBMs) digging HS2 ’s longest tunnels passed the second of five ventilation shafts this week, four miles into their 10 mile drive under the Chilterns. . youtube. The shortest bored tunnel — under Long Itchington Wood in Warwickshire — will be just 1 mile (1. 5 miles) – Connecting the railway into Birmingham. Named Cecilia, the TBM has driven for 10 miles underground to join twin sister machine – Florence. May 6, 2025 · The Little Missenden Headhouse is a single storey headhouse that will sit atop a 35-metre-deep ventilation shaft that will reach down to the Chiltern Tunnel below. Feb 27, 2024 · The tunnel will form part of HS2, the high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham. Aug 22, 2022 · 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 thirty-eight cross passages linking the northbound and southbound tunnels. Euston Tunnel (4. Dec 28, 2024 · This includes the breakthrough earlier this year of the two giant machines (pictured below) used to dig the 16km Chiltern Tunnel – the longest and deepest on the route. It also includes ventilation fans to manage the environment in the tunnel as well as a series of plant rooms. The Chiltern tunnel has five shafts along its ten-mile length, four at Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont St Giles, Amersham and Little Missenden, which are for ventilation and emergency access, and one of Chesham Road at South Heath which is for emergency access only. com/Chris_Rail_FocusOr by joining Youtube: https://www. It will almost double Apr 10, 2025 · To mitigate against ‘sonic boom’ HS2’s tunnel beneath the Chiltern Hills requires bespoke portal extensions. Jul 4, 2025 · ThThe Chiltern Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route, stretching 10 miles (16km) beneath the Chiltern Hills. Mar 31, 2022 · The Chiltern Tunnel is not an isolated structure; its design and construction are intrinsically linked to the overall HS2 network. The twin-bore tunnel is 16km (10 miles) long and will carry passengers under the Chiltern Hills. The 2,000-tonne, 170-metre-long machines have been boring the Chiltern Tunnels since the summer of 2021 and reached the Little Missenden ventilation shaft on August Mar 25, 2024 · The second tunnel boring machine (TBM) broke through the northern portal of HS2 Chiltern tunnel completing a journey that began in June 2021. The milestone comes a week after the launch of another giant TBM in Ruislip which begin excavating the London tunnels for the high speed rail project linking the capital with the Midlands and the The construction of these tunnel portals complements the Chiltern Tunnel—the UK’s longest twin-bore rail tunnel. The 16km long Chiltern Tunnel – HS2’s longest, which takes the railway beneath the Chiltern Hills – with both tunnel drives being completed in early 2024 and internal works on the tunnels now ongoing; Mar 24, 2022 · 24/03/2022 Press release - HS2 has revealed the designs for the north portal of the Chiltern Tunnel, which has been specially designed to cut noise from trains entering and exiting the project's longest tunnel at speeds of up to 320km/h. Update. Once the cross-passages are complete, they are temporarily sealed for fire safety reasons before permanent safety doors can be installed at either end. Cecilia's breakthrough at the tunnel's north portal follows closely on the heels of her twin Oct 6, 2023 · A sinkhole caused by tunnel boring as part of the HS2 rail project did not pollute the local water network, an investigation has concluded. The trains will travel through two parallel tunnels linked by short Feb 25, 2025 · The 5. May 6, 2025 · The Chesham Road Intervention Shaft is one of five shafts being constructed as part of the Chiltern Tunnel. ” Once construction is complete, the seven key design elements – the north and Mar 27, 2024 · The HS2 high-speed rail project has reached a major milestone with the second tunnel boring machine (TBM), named Cecilia, completing its journey under the Chiltern Hills. Photo: HS2 Costs are continuing to rise on the UK’s troubled high-speed rail project HS2, which the UK government recently announced it would scale down significantly. 5 miles of tunnel between London and the West Midlands creating five twin-bore and six cut and cover, or green, tunnels. and first visit here since early February - the pedestrian footbridge, at the beginning of the video, the bases look r Mar 25, 2024 · The second giant boring machine (TBM) building HS2 under the Chiltern Hills broke through at the tunnel’s northern portal late this afternoon, completing a journey that began in June 2021. Two TBMs, Florence and Cecilia, were used to excavate the twin-bore tunnel. It’s located off the B485 at Hyde End, near Great Missenden, and will provide access to the tunnel for emergency services. Aug 7, 2025 · Our Align JV are celebrating following the completion of construction for the highly complex Chiltern Tunnel. Delivery of the North Portal’s detailed design marks a significant milestone for the project, as this was the last of the seven key structures and means that the tunnel’s entire detailed design Nov 22, 2023 · The construction of HS2’s longest tunnels – stretching for 16km under the Chilterns – passed a key milestone this week with mining completed for 19 out of 38 emergency cross-passages linking the northbound and southbound tunnels. 6 kilometres) in length. Two tunnel boring machines, ‘Florence’ and ‘Cecilia’, were used to create the tunnel. Watch and Jun 28, 2023 · The Chiltern Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route between London and Crewe. Nov 23, 2023 · Deep under the Chilterns, HS2 has reached the half way mark in tunnelling the nearly 40 side passage tunnels that will link northbound and southbound tunnels. 4 miles) – Being built with four TBMs, one drive completed. com/channel/UCrffHlssphfdkzTkVfBdo5w/jo The Chiltern Tunnel, which passes beneath an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), is the longest on the HS2 route and was created using two identical tunnel boring machines (TBMs) named Florence and Cecilia launched in the summer of 2021, with Florence breaking through at the North Portal in February 2024 and Cecilia in March 2024. The first section from the Chiltern tunnel’s south portal to the first ventilation shaft are finished. Sep 25, 2023 · The company behind the HS2 high speed rail link has revealed that its longest tunnel is now 75% complete. HS2 Watch operates entirely independently of HS2 Ltd, and of central government departments. The 20ft (6m) wide, 16ft (5m) deep crater opened in the Apr 11, 2025 · High Speed 2 (HS2) engineers have finalised work on innovative extensions to the Chiltern tunnel southern portals designed to mitigate sonic booms produced by trains entering and exiting at high speeds. This marks the end of an extensive 10-mile excavation, a process that began in June 2021 and took almost three years to complete. The Chiltern Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route between London and Crewe and will carry passengers under the Chiltern Hills. ThThe Chiltern Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route, stretching 10 miles (16km) beneath the Chiltern Hills. Mar 25, 2024 · When HS2 is operational trains will travel through the Chiltern tunnel – the line’s longest – at speeds of up to 200mph, helping to almost halve journey times between Britain’s two largest cities. Apr 11, 2025 · The structures, built at the southern end of the railway’s 16km Chiltern Tunnel to the north-west of London, are near identical to those now under construction at its northern portal in Buckinghamshire. In July 2017 the Align joint venture was awarded the C1 package of HS2. C1 Mar 21, 2023 · HS2 today revealed the final designs for the North Portal of the Chiltern Tunnel – the last of seven key structures for the high speed rail project’s longest tunnels. The two colossal machines, each weighing 2,000 tonnes and 170 meters long, will be The Chiltern Tunnel, spanning 16km (10 miles), is the longest on the HS2 route and will transport passengers beneath the Chiltern Hills. Contractor walking through a Chiltern tunnel cross-passage Nov 2023 (c) HS2 The 10 mile long tunnels under the Chilterns require regular side Feb 17, 2024 · The 10-mile (16km) Chiltern Tunnel is the longest on the HS2 project, which aims to improve links between London and Birmingham. The southern portal structures were completed in January 2025, with the northern portals scheduled for completion in autumn. In a first for the UK rail network, HS2’s design includes extensions on all eight tunnels where trains enter at speeds above 140mph. The tunnel portals – curved and Aug 13, 2025 · The Chiltern Tunnel, HS2’s longest, is now structurally complete following five years of construction. TBM Florence completed her journey in February 2024, followed by TBM Cecilia in March 2024. Transformation from factory/production facility back to countryside slowly taking place. The Chiltern Tunnel consists of a twin TBM tunnel, 5 intermediate shafts, 40 Cross Passages (CPs) and 2 portals, one each at the South and North ends of the tunnels. Mar 29, 2024 · The tunnelling works of the Chiltern Hills twin-bore tunnel, the longest of its kind on the 190-kilometre High-Speed 2 (HS2) Rail System at a length of 16 kilometres, have been completed. The Chiltern Tunnel is 16km (10 miles) long and will carry passengers under the Chiltern Hills. It’s appreciated! #hs2 Nov 26, 2023 · The excavation of the Chiltern tunnel delivered by HS2’s main works contractor, Align formed of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerFitzpatrick, reached 14,48 km (9 miles). Apr 4, 2025 · A new chalk grassland project in the Chiltern Hills is being constructed as part of our Green Corridor Programme. At each end, the tracks are covered by a pair of portal structures that extend the tunnels into open air. Chiltern Tunnel (10 miles) – The longest tunnel on HS2, already completed. Dec 19, 2023 · Breakthrough on HS2’s longest tunnel expected early next year as giant tunnelling machines 90% of the way through the 10-mile-long Chiltern tunnel. Image: Align JV. May 6, 2025 · The Chalfont St Giles Headhouse is one of four structures that will be built to provide ventilation and emergency access to Chiltern Tunnel. Jul 4, 2025 · The Chiltern Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route, stretching 10 miles (16km) beneath the Chiltern Hills. Bromford tunnel Long Itchington Wood tunnel Chiltern tunnel Northolt tunnel Euston tunnel Find out more How to use HS2 Maps Back to main website May 6, 2025 · Chalfont St Peter Headhouse The Chalfont St Peter Headhouse provides emergency services access to the Chiltern tunnel beneath. Chiltern Tunnel progress update Our Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), named Florence and Cecilia, ended their journeys through part of the Chiltern Hills earlier in spring this year. Mar 19, 2021 · 4/4 The south portal Preparations for the launch of High Speed 2 (HS2)’s first giant tunnelling machines ramped up this week as the first of 112,000 wall segments for the Chiltern tunnel rolled off a purpose-built production line at the project’s tunnelling HQ close to the M25. The 10-mile Chiltern Tunnel includes five shafts: four ventilation shafts at Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont St Giles, Amersham, and Little Missenden, and one intervention shaft at Chesham Road. Find out information about how we manage construction impacts. Feb 27, 2024 · The tunnel boring machine Florence was launched in May 2021 near Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, and today finished an around 10-mile long dig under the Chiltern Hills. The HS2 Chiltern Tunnel North Portal has been granted Schedule 17 approval by Buckinghamshire Council, the last of eight consented Key Design Elements (KDEs) within the C1 Section of HS2 Phase One. 5 miles) – In advanced preparation for TBM launch. Named Cecilia, the TBM The longest continuous bored tunnels — under the Chiltern hills — will be 10 miles (16 kilometres) in length. Feb 17, 2024 · The 10-mile (16km) Chiltern Tunnel is the longest on the HS2 project, which aims to improve links between London and Birmingham. The 3km cutting leading to the Wendover Dean Viaduct, coupled with six new bridges connecting existing pathways, exemplifies the project’s commitment to integrating the high-speed line with the existing landscape. TBM “Cecilia” has driven for 16 km underground to join twin sister machine “Florence”. The new high-speed line will relieve traffic the West Coast Mainline, freeing up space for more local services on the most crowded part of the important Victorian route. High Speed Two (HS2) is the new high speed railway for Britain. Sep 17, 2020 · The tunnel portal structures to each end of the Chiltern Tunnel are the first example of high-speed rail porous portal structures in the UK. Align is a joint venture of three international infrastructure companies; Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick. The Chiltern Tunnel is a high-speed railway tunnel in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, England, which will carry the High Speed 2 (HS2) railway line under the Chiltern Hills. Download the latest photos of the tunnel and construction progress at the Chesham Road shaft. The Chiltern Tunnels comprise 16km long twin-bore tunnels that run through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Mar 22, 2024 · The second tunnelling drive on the 16km twin-bore tunnel beneath the Chiltern Hills for Britain’s HS2 high-speed line was completed on March 21. Since their launch last summer, TBMs Florence and Cecilia have travelled a combined distance of 5. It is set in the middle of a road junction just outside Amersham. Nov 18, 2024 · ‘Northern powerhouses’ Pictured in September 2023, HS2's north tunnel portal (bottom of image) takes shape at the Chiltern Hills near Great Missenden. Nov 22, 2023 · Aaron Harrison, HS2 Ltd’s Project Manager, said: “We’re making great progress on the Chiltern tunnel with approaching 9 out of 10 miles complete, and our cross-passage teams are catching up fast. Feb 27, 2024 · HS2’s first giant tunnelling machine – which launched almost 3 years ago – broke through today (Tuesday 27 February) at the end of her 10-mile (16km) journey under the Chilterns, excavating Dec 19, 2023 · The two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) digging HS2's Chiltern tunnels have reached the Chesham Road intervention shaft, on track to complete their 16km journey under the Chilterns next year. The breakthrough took place on February 27th, 2024, and marks a significant milestone for the HS2 line, which will dramatically reduce journey times between Apr 16, 2025 · HS2 contractors finished building new 16-kilometre Chiltern Tunnel with a design that will avoid sonic booms. Feb 1, 2023 · HS2 celebrates as longest tunnels reach halfway point under the Chilterns: Chiltern tunnel curving out of sight November 2022 50596 Sep 6, 2022 · The Chiltern Tunnel Cross Passages: A Key Milestone The construction of the HS2 high-speed rail line involves the creation of extensive tunnel networks, most notably the ten-mile-long tunnels beneath the Chiltern Hills. HS2 gave the update about the 10-mile (16km) Chiltern tunnel that runs under part of Jul 4, 2025 · ThThe Chiltern Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route, stretching 10 miles (16km) beneath the Chiltern Hills. Jun 29, 2025 · Filmed in June 2025, this video shows work on HS2 from the north portal of Chiltern Tunnel to Aylesbury, including Wendover Dean and Small Dean viaducts, and HS2 is a new high-speed rail line that will be the backbone of the UK’s rail network. The machines completed their historic 10-mile journeys in February and March 2024 respectively, breaking through at the tunnels north portal near South Heath, Buckinghamshire. Mar 15, 2022 · Two Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) excavating HS2’s longest tunnel have completed the first stage. As a result, five shafts are required along the alignment of the tunnel. Four major viaducts – Colne Valley, Wendover Dean, Small Dean, and Sep 1, 2021 · HS2 has revealed the first images of the latest of its ‘barn design’ rural headhouses which will provide emergency access to the 10 mile long Chiltern tunnel. She Oct 28, 2025 · The new high-speed railway travels through the Chalfonts, the Central Chilterns, and Aylesbury before reaching north-east Oxfordshire. 7 kilometres. Mar 21, 2024 · When HS2 is operational trains will travel through the Chiltern tunnel – the line’s longest – at speeds of up to 200mph, helping to almost halve journey times between Britain’s two largest cities. The second giant boring machine (TBM) building HS2 under the Chiltern Hills broke through at the tunnel’s northern portal, completing a journey that began in June 2021. Protruding up to 220 metres – around the length of two full-size football pitches – from a chalky cutting near the M25 motorway, they are each punctuated along one side with ventilation portholes. Phase One of this project will connect London to Birmingham by between 2029-2033. Sep 16, 2025 · The ‘Colne Valley Western Slopes’ project will see the transformation of what is now an HS2 construction site into one of the largest areas of new chalk grassland in the Chiltern hills. It is set back from the main A413 in Little Missenden and is one of four structures that will be built to provide ventilation and emergency access to the 10 mile long (16km) Chiltern Tunnel. She arrived at the site near the Buckinghamshire town of Wendover on 27 February, after May 6, 2025 · The Chiltern Tunnel North Portal is where trains leave the Chiltern Tunnel and re-enter the open air. HS2 gave the update about the 10-mile (16km) Chiltern tunnel that runs under part of Apr 14, 2025 · HS2 contractors have constructed portal extensions on the Chiltern Tunnel to reduce micro-pressure waves produced by high-speed trains. Feb 1, 2023 · The Chiltern tunnel is the longest on the HS2 project, which is designed to improve links between London, Birmingham and the north of England. HS2’s first Tunnel boring machine (TBM) named “Florence” has broken through the chalk geology of the Chilterns Hills in Buckinghamshire, UK, completing a 10-mile drive and excavating the longest Tunnel on the high-speed rail project. There were fireworks and cheers from hundreds of workers as they watched the breakthrough near South Heath. Two Tunnel Feb 1, 2023 · The Chiltern tunnel is the longest on the HS2 project, which is designed to improve links between London, Birmingham and the north of England. The five-year programme involved construction of the 10-mile tunnel, the longest on the HS2 route, the South Portal porous portal structures and accompanying earthworks trace. The completion of the tunnel came following the breakthrough of the second giant boring machine (TBM) “Cecilia” at the tunnel’s northern portal on 20th March 2024. Mar 22, 2023 · The Chiltern tunnel is the longest on the HS2 project, which is designed to improve links between London, Birmingham and the north of England. This integration showcases a holistic approach to ThThe Chiltern Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route, stretching 10 miles (16km) beneath the Chiltern Hills. Find information about HS2 works and activities taking place in your area. Unlike the main running tunnels, which are being excavated using Nov 20, 2023 · HS2’s under construction Chiltern tunnel. Northolt Tunnel (8. fumtmy dpcm dcciltv ita fyv uquka aloi qldop apwws tylj tnrxp zhttmi uewognxz xkkxzh zttjl