Giant Tunnelling Machine Emily Completes HS2 Job, Costs Skyrocket

A giant tunnelling machine named Emily has successfully completed its work on the High Speed 2 (HS2) train project in London, resurfacing after over a year of underground operation. The massive machine finished its 3.4-mile tunnelling journey, launching from Victoria Road in North Acton and concluding at Green Park Way in Ealing. This milestone raises further concerns regarding the escalating costs associated with the HS2 project, which is now projected to reach as high as £80 billion.

Emily, a tunnel boring machine (TBM) weighing approximately 1,700 tonnes and measuring 9.11 meters in diameter, completed one bore of the eastern section of the Northolt Tunnel, which spans 8.4 miles. Since its launch in February 2024, the machine has excavated around 775,000 tonnes of clay and installed 17,514 tunnel segments.

The completion of Emily’s tunnelling work is part of a larger initiative involving four TBMs, with two already having finished their sections. The final machine is expected to conclude its operations later this year.

Concerns Over Rising Costs and Delays

The project’s financial challenges were highlighted when Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced that the completion date for the railway line between London and Birmingham has been pushed back beyond the original target of 2033. The estimated cost has reportedly surged by £37 billion since 2012, leading to increasing scrutiny from both officials and the public.

According to a report by the Committee of Public Accounts, the estimated range for HS2’s total cost was between £45 billion and £54 billion as of November 2023. However, HS2 Ltd, the government-funded company overseeing the project, revised its estimate to between £54 billion and £66 billion in June 2024. The report warned that once adjusted for inflation, total program costs could approach £80 billion.

The Department for Transport has recognized the need for significant changes to address the cycle of cost increases and delays. An independent review led by former Crossrail chief executive James Stewart has resulted in 89 recommendations aimed at improving project management.

Technical Achievements and Future Work

Despite the financial turmoil, HS2 project officials have celebrated the technical accomplishments of the tunnelling operations. A statement from HS2 noted that Emily achieved peak production rates of approximately 38 meters per day during her journey. Though the machine ultimately took 14 months to complete its section, this pace demonstrates the capabilities of modern tunnelling technology.

Following Emily’s completion, work will continue on the Northolt Tunnel, including the installation of cross passages, ventilation shafts, and the laying of track. The project aims to enhance rail capacity and connectivity across the UK, eventually linking London to Birmingham via high-speed rail.

Emily was manufactured by German tunnelling experts Herrenknecht, and its name honors Emily Sophia Taylor, the first female mayor of Ealing. The project was initially proposed in 2009 and has faced numerous controversies regarding its budgeting and execution, raising concerns about the efficient delivery of major infrastructure projects in the UK.

As construction progresses, HS2 Ltd is committed to ensuring that the project meets its objectives effectively and economically. With new leadership and a comprehensive review underway, stakeholders hope to restore public confidence in the HS2 initiative and its potential benefits for the future of rail travel in Britain.