An aerial view of the Old Oak Common hub and a glimpse of the Chilterns tunnel entrance are among images released by the builders of HS2.

Progress on the high-speed London to Birmingham link, which cuts through part of West London before heading north under the Chilterns, is being documented to mark the turn of the year.

Planning approval was given this year to the new inter-change at Old Oak Common, which will link with the new Elizabethan Line across London.

The pictures include a view of the huge South Portal site near the M25, from where tunnel boring machines will dig north under the Chilterns.  

A total of 2,400 tons of structural steel, made in Nottingham, will be delivered to the south portal of the Chiltern tunnel.

It will be used in the temporary pre-cast factories that will create the tunnel wall segments and the nearby Colne Valley Viaduct. 

It could be 2028-2031 before the first trains run on the route, according to the Transport Secretary, and the total cost is now being forecast at more than £100bn.