Channel tunnel Rail Link section 2: London tunnels

Abstract

The London tunnels of section 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link – now known as High Speed 1 – carry the new railway from the eastern edge of London into the centre at St Pancras, a distance of approximately 20 km. The scheme required civil engineering and particularly mechanised tunnelling to be pushed to the limits of technology. Successful delivery of the works required strong emphasis on proactive risk management and a single team approach throughout the design and construction phases. This in turn led to an unusual but effective procurement approach. Together these factors have resulted in the successful delivery of a major new transport asset with little disruption to the everyday life of Londoners.