HS2 has launched the first of six tunnel boring machines (TBM) that it will be using to dig tunnels under London and its first one Sushila is named after Greenford High School head of STEM Sushila Hirani.
Local school children from Dairy Meadow Primary School in Southall and Brentside Primary Academy in Hanwell helped name the TBMs after participating in workshops about the tunnelling work.
Sushila Hirani is head of department and lead for STEM at Greenford High School. The Willow class at Dairy Meadow Primary School in Southall suggested the name due to her inspiring work and passion for getting more women and young people from BAME backgrounds into STEM subjects.
Sushila has been a teacher for nearly 30 years and has been involved in local infrastructure and development projects, including the Waterside housing development in Southall. Sushila also helps to encourage more girls into STEM subjects as a path towards Engineering at A Level.
Speaking about having HS2’s first London tunnel boring machine named after her, Sushila said: “I was very surprised that the Willow class pupils at Dairy Meadow chose to put my name forward for this honour. When I met the pupils, I was very impressed by how much work they had already engaged in relating to design and technology and STEM, led by their teacher Prabhjot Uppal, who is the design technology lead at the school. I have always had a passion for industrial design and engineering, and if this event helps young people connect with engineering and inspire them to pursue this path, then my small contribution here has been worthwhile.”
HS2 CEO Mark Thurston said: “The launch of the Tunnel Boring Machines on the longest section of tunnels through London is a significant moment for HS2, and one that demonstrates the momentum that has built behind Britain’s flagship levelling-up project.”
 that it will be using to dig tunnels under London and its first one Sushila is named after Greenford High School head of STEM Sushila Hirani.){kind=link}