Tunnels being built for HS2 trains through central London could collapse and cause the deaths of hundreds of people, engineer warns
- Tunnels being built for HS2 trains to travel under Central London could collapse
- Expert chartered engineer warns rail bosses that they are risking disaster
- Colin Elliff says a tunnel collapse could cause the deaths of hundreds of people
- Granger-Taylor, 65, will launch a judicial review unless drawings are produced
Hero Granger-Taylor, 65, who commissioned the report from Mr Elliff, lives in a Grade II* listed house half a mile from Euston Station and above the proposed tunnels
Tunnels being built for HS2 trains to travel under Central London could collapse, causing the deaths of hundreds of people, according to an expert chartered engineer.
Colin Elliff, who worked for construction giant Atkins for 18 years, has warned rail bosses that they are risking a horrific disaster because ploughing three tunnels under the approach to Euston Station could bring down a huge 120-year-old brick wall above them.
He makes his claims in a report seen by The Mail on Sunday that may spell further delay for the beleaguered £56 billion project.
‘As well as having a disastrous effect on the infrastructure, this could put the personal safety of hundreds of rail travellers and residents at risk,’ Elliff, 60, said.
HS2 now faces legal action from an alarmed resident who is demanding to see the plans for the tunnels and assurances that the proposed tunnels will not cause the collapse of the wall.
![Initial plans and a slide-show presentation issued by HS2 show that a section of the outbound tunnel will be built just 5ft from the bottom of the 33ft-high and 500ft-long brick wall outside the station [File photo]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/02/17/01/9910604-6713409-image-a-10_1550367504364.jpg)
Initial plans and a slide-show presentation issued by HS2 show that a section of the outbound tunnel will be built just 5ft from the bottom of the 33ft-high and 500ft-long brick wall outside the station [File photo]
Hero Granger-Taylor, 65, who commissioned the report from Mr Elliff, lives in a Grade II* listed house half a mile from Euston Station and above the proposed tunnels.
She has warned HS2, the Government-owned company that is building the high-speed train line connecting London to Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, that she will launch a judicial review unless detailed drawings are produced within two weeks.
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She said: ‘There is a real chance that the wall will collapse, dragging the road and the houses down along with it.’ In March 2017, HS2 announced plans for the three tunnels, each measuring 29.5ft in diameter.
Two tunnels would be for ‘inboard’ trains and one for trains leaving the station. Initial plans and a slide-show presentation issued by HS2 show that a section of the outbound tunnel will be built just 5ft from the bottom of the 33ft-high and 500ft-long brick wall outside the station.
![Colin Elliff, who worked for construction giant Atkins for 18 years, has warned rail bosses that they are risking a horrific disaster because ploughing three tunnels under the approach to Euston Station could bring down a huge 120-year-old brick wall above them [File photo]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/04/01/00/11700146-6871249-image-a-1_1554074926146.jpg)
Colin Elliff, who worked for construction giant Atkins for 18 years, has warned rail bosses that they are risking a horrific disaster because ploughing three tunnels under the approach to Euston Station could bring down a huge 120-year-old brick wall above them [File photo]
While there are no guidelines stating how close a tunnel should run under the foundations of such a structure, Mr Elliff believes there should be a gap of about 60ft.
He said: ‘There is a range of disaster scenarios ranging from the tunnel boring machine becoming trapped underground to total structural collapse of the retaining wall.’
Jayesh Kunwardia, a partner at Miss Granger-Taylor’s lawyers Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors, said: ‘There is evidence that the proposed scheme poses a serious risk of loss of life and of causing great damage to properties in the area.
‘It is unacceptable that they have not given us sight of a complete set of drawings and Ms Granger-Taylor is left with no other choice but to take HS2 to court.’
HS2 last night said it was confident the scheme ‘can be delivered safely’.
A spokesman said: ‘We are currently working through a rigorous design and independent checking process, including geological and structural testing, before we begin construction of the Euston approach tunnels.’
Ms Granger-Taylor is attempting to fund the judicial review through the Crowd Justice website. Donations can be made at www.crowdjustice.com
