HS2 has begun boring the tunnel between Old Oak Common in west London to Euston station.

The Department for Transport argues that taking HS2 to Euston will ensure maximum economic benefit from the new high-speed line.

Camden Council has estimated that new homes and commercial development at Euston could add £41 billion to the economy by 2053, and will support 34,000 new jobs.

The tunnel boring machine, which weighs 1,624 tonnes, will dig a 4.5-mile tunnel between the two stations.

It was switched on at Old Oak Common station yesterday at a ceremony attended by the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, the Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, the Chief Executive Officer of HS2 Ltd, Mark Wild, and Transport for London Commissioner, Andy Lord.

The tunnel boring machine excavates and builds the tunnel as it progresses. It slots concrete segments into place to build the structure through which the high-speed trains will travel.

The machine is the first of two that will construct the two parallel tunnels to Euston. It is named “Madeleine” after Madeleine Nobbs, former president of the Women’s Engineering Society.

Both Madeliene and the second machine, Karen (named after Karen Harrison, the first woman train driver and ASLEF union representative), have been assembled on-site at Old Oak Common station, which is in the process of being built.

Bringing HS2 to Euston is one part of the government’s plan for the station, which will be overseen by a new body, the Euston Delivery Company.

It aims to create an integrated transport hub, to include the new HS2 station, the redevelopment of the existing station, and an upgrade of the London Underground station.

“It was brilliant to switch on the tunnel boring machine at Old Oak Common today – not just because it’s an engineering marvel – but because it brings HS2’s journey to Euston another step closer to reality.

“We’re putting HS2 back on track, and taking the railway into central London is crucial to unlocking its full potential to deliver more jobs, more homes, and a long-term boost to the whole British economy.”

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy,