The Victoria Road ventilation shaft uses precast rings at the top with spray concrete for the remainder of the 25-metre depth. Since this stunning image was taken in July, the bottom of the shaft has been reached, with preparations being made for Tunnel Boring Machines to start work.
ABSOLUTE PHOTOGRAPHY/HS2 LTD
Expert hands are needed at the controls when excavating spoil from the diaphragm wall, with precise alignment needed. The polymer additive used can be seen stringing from the grab in this view.
ANDY RODEN/MODERN RAILWAYS
Those expecting the ghosts of railways past to be in evidence at High Speed 2’s Old Oak Common station are likely to be disappointed. Barely a trace of the depots which maintained trains from the steam era to the 21st century remains, with the final Heathrow Express depot building due to be demolished imminently.
