The first TBM of contracting JV BAM Nuttall/Ferrovial Agroman/Kier has reached Paddington, some 750 m from its launch chamber at Royal Oak. To reach its first goal on the western Crossrail tunnels, the TBM had to successfully navigate beneath both the Hammersmith and City line and the Great Western main railway line. It will now traverse the Paddington station box and drive onwards to Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and then Farringdon. A second similar TBM recently launched from Royal Oak on the parallel tube to Paddington. Excavated material is being railed to Northfleet, Kent from where it will be shipped to Wallasea Island, Essex to help the RSPB create a nature reserve.

Another two TBMs are under erection near Canning Town station to drive the eastern tunnels between Docklands and Farringdon. More from www.crossrail.co.uk and visit tunnelbuilder archive uk/40. 34/12.