HS2’s first two giant Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) – named Florence and Cecilia – have arrived in the UK and will be ready to start work early next year
The two 2,000 tonne machines will now be meticulously reassembled, tested and commissioned, by an expert team of tunnelling engineers, before they start work on the high-speed rail project’s first tunnels.
The 10-mile-long ‘twin-bore’ Chiltern tunnel will be the longest on the project, the first to start construction, with the TBMs set to be underground, working 24/7 for more than three years.
Designed specifically for the mix of chalk and flints under the Chilterns, the two identical TBMs will dig separate tunnels for north and southbound trains, with Florence set to launch first and Cecilia to follow a few weeks behind.
Each machine operates as a self-contained underground factory, which as well as digging the tunnel, will also line it with concrete wall segments and grout them into place as it moves forward at a speed of 15 meters a day.
Each tunnel will require 56,000 segments – which will all be made on site.
A joint venture
These first two TBMs will be operated by HS2’s main works contractor, Align – a joint venture formed of three international infrastructure companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick.
The Align Joint Venture expects to recruit 1,200 vacancies, with over 100 opportunities for apprentices. They plan to target their recruitment and investment in upskilling local people who are currently unemployed, with a particular focus on women, under 25s and those with disabilities.
Built by Herrenknecht, a world leader in TBM manufacturing, at its factory in south-west Germany, the two 170m long machines were transported to the UK in more than 300 separate shipments over the course of two months, with the parts now safely delivered to the Align Chiltern tunnel site, to the west of London just inside the M25.
A defining moment in the history of HS2
HS2 Ltd chief executive, Mark Thurston, said: “The launch of our first tunnelling machines will be a defining moment in the history of HS2 – and our work to deliver a high-speed railway that will offer a low-carbon alternative for journeys across the UK.
“Construction is now well underway, with more than 13,000 jobs supported by the project, both directly and in our UK-wide supply chain.
“The arrival of Florence and Cecilia is a major step forward and our expert team will now work to assemble, test and commission them before their launch next year.”
Align project director, Daniel Altier, said: “Now that the parts have arrived the detailed job of assembling and commissioning the machines has begun.
“There are also considerable other activities continuing on our site to prepare for the launch of Florence and Cecilia next year. This includes the construction of a factory that will manufacture the concrete segments to be used to line the tunnel and a slurry treatment plant that will process material from the tunnels.”
