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HS2 Underground Claims Debunked: Less Than 25% of Rail Line Will Be in Tunnels
Social media claims suggesting half of the HS2 high-speed rail project will run underground have been found to be misleading, according to a recent fact-check investigation.
The widely shared post alleged that 50% of the HS2 train line would be underground, surpassing the Elizabeth line’s supposed 45% underground route. However, detailed analysis reveals significant discrepancies in these figures.
In reality, approximately 23% of the HS2 project will run through tunnels, substantially less than the claimed 50%. The Elizabeth line, by comparison, has about 18% of its route in newly constructed tunnels.
The confusion appears to stem from misinterpretation of HS2’s official data. The project’s website references 65 miles of tunnels, but this figure counts both directions of travel on a 280-mile return journey. When correctly calculated against the 140-mile single-direction length of Phase One, tunnels comprise just 23.2% of the route.
Phase One of HS2, which remains the only part of the project still moving forward following the cancellation of Phase Two, will stretch approximately 140 miles (225 km) between London and the West Midlands. The infrastructure includes 11 tunnels: five twin-bore tunnels allowing simultaneous bi-directional travel, and six cut-and-cover tunnels where excavated sections are subsequently covered over.
The social media claim may have also confused “underground” sections with “below ground level” portions. If including cuttings – excavated sections that create artificial valleys for the tracks but remain open to the sky – then about 55% of HS2 will run either through tunnels or below the original ground level. The project includes 44 miles (72 km) of such cuttings.
For the Elizabeth line, which opened fully in 2022 and spans 73 miles (118 km) across London, approximately 26 miles (42 km) of new tunnels were constructed specifically for the project. This represents 17.8% of the total line length, with minimal additional tunneling from pre-existing infrastructure such as the 550-meter Connaught Tunnel.
The claimed 45% underground figure for the Elizabeth line appears to conflate it with the entire London Underground network, which does indeed have approximately 45% of its system in tunnels.
The HS2 project has faced intense scrutiny since its inception, particularly regarding its environmental impact, cost escalation, and changes to the original scope. In October 2023, the UK government announced the cancellation of Phase Two, which would have extended the high-speed line to Manchester and Leeds, citing budget constraints and changing infrastructure priorities.
Rail experts note that tunneling represents one of the most expensive aspects of major infrastructure projects, with costs typically running into billions of pounds. The extensive tunneling on HS2 was designed to minimize visual impact and noise pollution in sensitive areas, including the Chiltern Hills and approaches to major urban centers.
As construction continues on Phase One, expected to be operational in the early 2030s, the project remains one of Europe’s largest infrastructure undertakings despite the scaled-back scope. The debate around HS2’s costs, benefits and design specifications continues to generate significant public interest and, occasionally, misinformation.
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6 Comments
The analysis on the HS2 tunneling figures is a useful reality check. Separating fact from fiction is important, especially for large-scale public projects. This helps provide a more accurate understanding of the rail line’s construction.
The fact-checking on the HS2 tunneling claims is a good example of the need to scrutinize online information. I’m glad the true tunneling percentage was clarified, as it provides a more realistic picture of the project’s scope.
Good to see the details behind the HS2 tunneling claims being investigated. Even major infrastructure projects can be subject to misinformation, so it’s helpful when the facts are laid out clearly.
Interesting fact check on the HS2 rail project. It’s good to see the details behind the claims about tunneling being debunked. The true percentage of the route running underground seems more in line with other major rail projects.
Appreciate the breakdown on the HS2 tunneling claims. While significant tunneling is planned, the 50% figure seems exaggerated. It’s important to rely on official project data rather than potentially misleading social media posts.
This helps provide some much-needed clarity on the HS2 tunneling plans. I was curious about the scale of underground construction, so it’s helpful to have the accurate figures. Tunneling is a complex and expensive part of rail projects.