Why is so much of HS2 in tunnels?

The builders say the tunnels will help the high speed rail project protect the environment while improving connections between London, Birmingham and the North of England. Much of the HS2 project will be underground, in answer to a variety of environmental and engineering challenges.



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The vast system of tunnels that is being created to allow HS2 trains to pass through much of the countryside below ground is one of the most time-consuming and expensive parts of the project. Some 32.5 miles (52.5 km) of the route will be through tunnels, of which about 14 miles (22.5km) have been completed.

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But HS2 is quite controversial. Those who support the project say it will improve transport times, create jobs and help the country's economy. Critics of it though, are worried about how it will impact wildlife, the countryside, their homes and how much it will cost.

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HS2 was originally envisaged to operate more trains an hour and higher speeds than any comparable high-speed line elsewhere in the world. It has been estimated that this pushed up costs by about 10 per cent.

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Longest tunnel The Chiltern Tunnel measuring 16km (10 miles) long. Deepest tunnel The Chiltern Tunnel at 90 metres deep.

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High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd is a non-departmental public body, wholly funded by the Secretary of State for Transport and sponsored by the Department for Transport. The HS2 project is one of the largest and most complex infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the UK.

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Once operational, HS2 will serve over 25 stations connecting around 30 million people. HS2 will significantly improve connectivity in the North and Midlands and will also integrate the existing network serving stations into Scotland, creating 500,000 extra jobs and 90,000 homes around HS2 stations.

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We'll connect Britain with new high-speed tunnels Longest tunnel The Chiltern Tunnel measuring 16km (10 miles) long. Deepest tunnel The Chiltern Tunnel at 90 metres deep. Total length of tunnel 65 miles of tunnel between London and the West Midlands.

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HS2 Ltd's destruction of ancient woodland and veteran trees is unacceptable. We'll keep pushing hard to save these precious habitats.

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HS2 will also play a crucial role delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail – the backbone for an integrated northern rail network. Together these better connections will help to level-up the country.

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Operation: HS2 will be powered by zero carbon electricity. Construction: Net zero for construction from 2035. Scope 3 emissions include all other indirect emissions in an organisation's value chain.

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