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Thursday, March 28, 2024

HS2 to recommend Ealing and Northolt tunnel

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HS2 has set out revised proposals to construct a tunnel beneath Ealing and Northolt to avoid lengthy bridge demolition works.

Plans announced in January set out a surface route along the Northolt corridor through north west London.

A study has now found that constructing a 9 km tunnel would actually be a much simpler and quicker option, taking an estimated 15 months less than the surface route.

The original line included replacing both spans of the Hanger Lane gyratory – a complicated roundabout system in Ealing.

Following the results of the study, HS2 Ltd is now recommending the bored tunnel option between North Acton (near Old Oak Common) and Northolt.

If adopted, this would mean the proposed route for HS2 would be in continuous bored twin tunnels from Old Oak Common to West Ruislip – making it the longest tunnel on the route at 14km and longer than any of the tunnels currently being built for Crossrail.

HS2 Ltd community and stakeholder manager for London Peter Fry said: “The recommendation to build a tunnel through Ealing and Northolt shows what can be achieved by working with local people and that we value their input and suggestions.

“The study we commissioned found that for this specific section of the line, the cost of tunnel would be comparable with a route on the surface without the need to replace bridges and divert associated utilities.

“The proposed tunnel will be included as the preferred option in the draft Environmental Statement for the first phase of HS2, so the community and stakeholders will have the opportunity to respond to this proposal as part of the consultation in coming months.”

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