The Channel Tunnel Rail Link has won a plaudit of “Project of the Decade” from the London Transport Awards.
Arup, a key player behind the UK project, renamed ‘High Speed 1’ (HS-1), is currently putting its own resources into exploring the possibilities for a second link, or HS-2, which could involve some major tunnelling works.
According to preliminary studies, the route might run from HS-1 to the north of London and on to Heathrow airport before heading northbound to the Midlands and further. An initial report is expected in the next few months (T&TI, January).
The “Project of the Decade” award was received last month by Rail Link Engineering (RLE), which comprises Arup, Bechtel, Halcrow and Systra. RLE managed delivery of HS-1 for the developer, London & Continental Railways.
HS-1 fully opened late 2007. The 109km long route from the Channel Tunnel to London is the UK’s first high-speed rail link and its first major railway for over a century. The scheme cost US$11.6bn.
