Its two TBMs, Florence and Cecilia, have both completed over 6km of their drives and have passed the second shaft located close to the village of Chalfont St Giles. The 46m deep shaft is one of four that will provide ventilation and emergency access to the 16km long twin tunnels. A fifth shaft will just provide emergency access. Once complete, the shaft will be covered by a headhouse designed to resemble local farm buildings.

Didier Jacques, Align’s Underground Construction Director, said:

“Florence and Cecilia reaching our second shaft at Chalfont St Giles is a great achievement for the tunnelling team and I would like to pay credit to TGT, our supply chain partner, whose personnel are manning the TBMs.

It’s also important to acknowledge the work by the construction team involved in excavating and preparing the shaft. In particular I would like to pay credit to KVJV, VolkerLaser and Keltbray our supply chain partners, who have been working tirelessly over the last few months to ensure the shaft is ready for the arrival of Florence and Cecilia, learning from their experience of excavating and preparing our first shaft at Chalfont St Peter.”   

Congratulations to our teams!