Huddersfield station will be closed from Saturday 30 August until Monday 29 September 2025 to enable major Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) engineering work.  The ongoing upgrade of the Grade I listed station – which began over a year ago – is key to unlocking the benefits of improved rail travel across the North, and this marks the most significant stage of the programme to date.  The work set for the back end of summer includes major track and platform remodelling, which once the wider rail upgrades are complete in Huddersfield, will transform the layout of the station and enable more trains with more seats to run through the area on a greener, more reliable railway.   These upgrades will pave the way for further infrastructure improvements in the near future, with the installation of a new, accessible footbridge and the restoration of the historic Grade II listed tearooms, which were carefully dismantled in 8,000 different pieces last year so they can be repainted and relocated to a new location on the platform.  The restoration of the iconic station roof canopy continues, with the scaffolding and coverings of one section to be removed in the coming weeks. The renovation of one of the country’s remaining few ‘Euston style’ roofs has been meticulously planned with engineers preserving the canopy’s historic features whilst enhancing its durability for future generations.  During this 30-day closure, no trains will run through the station, with diversionary routes and rail replacement buses in operation to keep customers on the move. Following the 30-day closure, only three platforms will be in operation on a temporary basis. Gareth Hope, TRU Sponsor, said:  “Our upgrade of Huddersfield station is one of the most important projects across the entire TRU programme, and this 30-day closure will allow us to take a giant leap towards giving the station a deserved makeover without harming its heritage.  “Ultimately, the work in Huddersfield is key to improving the journeys of millions of people across the North – increasing the number of tracks through the station and remodelling its platforms means we will will be able to run faster, more frequent trains with enhanced capacity in the future.  “We’re pleased with the recent programme milestones in Huddersfield and are excited for these to progress further in the summer.”  Chris Nutton, Major Projects and TRU Director at TransPennine Express, said:  “The 30-day closure is a milestone in the history of Huddersfield railway station that will pave the way for the future benefits of the TRU programme to be unlocked and I’d like to thank everyone who’s working hard in the background to turn this into a major success.  “During the closure, TPE won’t be able to run trains through the station for 30 days, with Brighouse functioning as the gateway to Huddersfield in those weeks. We’ll have more information on how our customers can travel across the Pennines in June, but for now, we encourage you to put these dates in your diaries.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

London Gatwick Airport has taken a significant step in advancing its long-term growth plans by appointing 16 expert design firms to a refreshed design services framework, marking the start of a new chapter in its capital investment strategy. The newly established framework is designed to accelerate the delivery of design work across the airport’s upcoming projects by enabling faster engagement of consultants under pre-agreed terms. It spans a broad range of specialisms including architecture, civil and structural engineering, baggage handling systems, and fire safety engineering. Structured across five key lots, the framework includes both large and small multi-disciplinary teams to ensure flexibility and expertise across every scale of project. The selected firms include a mix of global engineering giants and innovative SMEs, reflecting Gatwick’s ambition to blend experience with agility. Firms appointed under the Large Multi-Disciplinary lot include Arcadis, AtkinsRealis, Baker Hicks, Jacobs UK, Ramboll, and WSP UK. The Airfield category sees AtkinsRealis, Jacobs UK, Ramboll and WSP UK return, while the Baggage lot welcomes IDOM, Principal Projx, Typsa, and Vlogix. Supporting innovation and diversity, the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Multi-Disciplinary lot brings together Hulley & Kirkwood, Lyndon Goode Architects, Pascall & Watson, Pellings, Pod Architects, and Webb Yates. Meanwhile, Jacobs UK and WSP UK have also been appointed under the Fire Engineering lot. Alasdair Scobie, Capital Programmes Director at London Gatwick, commented:“This refreshed design framework is a key enabler for delivering London Gatwick’s ambitious capital investment plan, ensuring high quality design incorporating more sustainable solutions delivered through a capable and competitive supply chain. “This is the first step in a broader construction supply chain strategy as we bring in the best designers, consultants and contractors to support the airport’s growth. It’s a crucial time for us, and we’re excited to begin this next phase in partnership with such a strong and diverse team.” The announcement underlines Gatwick’s commitment to sustainability, smart design, and inclusive development as the airport continues to evolve to meet future travel demands and customer expectations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Contractors building HS2 have completed work on a pair of innovative extensions to the southern portal of its longest tunnel to eliminate the possibility of ‘sonic boom’ being created by high-speed trains entering at 200mph.  The structures, built at the southern end of the railway’s 10-mile Chiltern Tunnel to the north-west of London, are near identical to those now under construction at its northern portal in Buckinghamshire.  All trains entering tunnels anywhere in the world force air forward, creating pulses of energy that roll along the tunnel causing a small release of air pressure into the outside world at the far end. Known scientifically as ‘micro pressure waves’, they are inaudible on conventional railways. But in high-speed rail tunnels, air shoved forward without escape routes can create powerful pressure waves that emerge as an audible ‘thud’ or ‘sonic boom’. In a first for the UK rail network, HS2’s design includes extensions on all eight tunnels where trains enter at speeds above 140mph.  However, the length, physical setting and aesthetic of those at each end of the line’s tunnel beneath the Chiltern Hills mark them out as unique even to HS2. HS2 Ltd chief engineer, Mark Howard explains, “The maximum speed of HS2 varies along the route. But where the train is entering a tunnel travelling above 140mph we are building portal extensions to prevent ‘sonic boom’ occurring.  Although there are several tunnels on the line where train speed will be higher than in the Chiltern Tunnel, no other combines speeds of 200mph with length of 10 miles.  Its these unique physical characteristics that demand unique structures at each end.” First identified in 1974 during train testing on Japan’s then new 187mph ‘Sanyo’ shinkansen line, when people nearby noticed ‘booms’ near tunnel exits, the problem was solved by the invention of perforated portals extending from the tunnel entrance. Later, as train speeds gradually increased and further slight improvements in the control of micro-pressure waves were required, the solution was to radically enhance the train’s aerodynamics rather than retrospectively adding the pressure-dissipating portal extensions to tunnels that had already been built. The famous super-sleek, elongated aerodynamic snouts of Japanese high-speed trains cause the pressure to build up more gradually when the train enters a tunnel.   Building on over 40 years of research by the international rail community, the engineering team from HS2 Ltd, engineering consultancy Arup together with the University of Birmingham and Dundee Tunnel Research, developed and laboratory-tested HS2’s tunnel portal design. To mitigate against ‘sonic boom’ HS2’s tunnel beneath the Chiltern Hills requires bespoke portal extensions. Protruding up to 220 metres – around the length of two full-size football pitches – from a chalky cutting near the M25 motorway, they are each punctuated along one side with ventilation portholes. These enable some air pushed forward by the train to escape, making the pressure increase more gradual so that the micro-pressure wave emitted from the other end of the tunnel is undetectable. The basic design can be adapted to different lengths: the longer the extension, the weaker the micro pressure wave. In order to decide how long each extension needed to be for every HS2 tunnel, the team used micro-pressure wave measurements from Britain’s first high speed line between London and the Channel Tunnel, HS1 as the benchmark. The line’s tunnels do not experience sonic boom because the micro pressure waves are too weak. Therefore HS2’s research team used it as the basis to develop anti-sonic boom porous tunnel extensions for the new London-West Midlands high speed line. Mark added, “HS2 was designed from the ground up as an entirely new and complete rail system. This enabled us to develop all its constituent parts e.g. trains, tunnels, stations, power systems to complement each other and operate as intended. “In the case of avoiding sonic boom at tunnel portals, we used already-established key criteria including train speed, tunnel diameter and length to develop tunnel portal extensions that would prevent sonic boom occurring.” Commenting, Arup Fellow Richard Sturt said, “Arup is proud to have helped create a new international benchmark for the suppression of sonic booms with the HS2 tunnel portals. They are longer than any existing portals anywhere else in the world as we have prioritized seating capacity on the train, avoiding the need for a long nose section on the train like the Japanese shinkansen.  The portals’ unique tapered design combined with the precision-sized holes provide an incredibly smooth build-up of pressure as the train enters the tunnel. As a result, there won’t be any audible noises from micro pressure waves, despite the extremely high train speeds.” Construction of the Chilterns Tunnel, and its portal extensions was led by HS2’s main works contractor Align JV – that includes Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine and Volker Fitzpatrick. The group finished building those at the southern end in January 2025, with the northern pair following in the autumn of this year. Once operational passenger trains will travel through HS2’s 10-mile Chiltern Tunnel in three minutes Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The UK’s largest road infrastructure project in a generation has been given the green light, as the Secretary of State for Transport grants development consent for the Lower Thames Crossing. The ambitious scheme, connecting Kent, Thurrock, and Essex, is set to ease congestion at the heavily burdened Dartford Crossing. A Game-Changer for UK Roads Spanning 23km, the project includes twin tunnels stretching 4.2km beneath the River Thames, providing a vital new link between the A2/M2 and the M25. Designed to tackle severe congestion at Dartford—the busiest river crossing in the country—the Lower Thames Crossing is expected to improve traffic flow and unlock economic growth across the South East. The estimated cost of the scheme is £9.4bn, with the government exploring private finance options that could push the total to £10.2bn. Already, £1.2bn has been invested, with much of it allocated to the project’s extensive planning and approval process—the largest development consent order (DCO) application ever submitted in the UK. Following its initial submission in October 2022, the project underwent an exhaustive public examination before receiving approval on 20 March 2024. The decision, which had been delayed multiple times, marks a major milestone in one of the UK’s most complex infrastructure projects. Construction could begin as early as 2026, with completion expected in the early 2030s. In the meantime, project teams will work closely with local authorities and stakeholders to refine design elements and minimise community and environmental disruption. A Sustainable Approach to Infrastructure The Lower Thames Crossing is being positioned as a carbon-neutral construction “pathfinder” project. National Highways aims to significantly cut emissions by up to 70% through the use of low-carbon materials and alternative fuels, such as hydrogen. These sustainability efforts are expected to set a benchmark for future large-scale infrastructure developments, with potential applications in sectors like rail and nuclear energy. Beyond its transport benefits, the scheme includes major environmental commitments. Plans include the creation of six times more green space than the road itself, planting one million trees, establishing a community woodland, and developing two new public parks with Thames views. Nearly 5km of new and upgraded pathways will also be introduced for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. Designed with extensive public consultation, several adjustments have been made to mitigate the impact on local communities and ancient woodlands. These include increasing lane capacity to three in each direction and extending the tunnel length. Creating Jobs and Boosting the Economy The project is expected to generate thousands of jobs within the construction sector, with a commitment to recruiting nearly half of the workforce locally. Skills training and employment opportunities will be a key focus, ensuring long-term benefits for communities in the region. To deliver the project, three main works contracts have been awarded: Industry leaders have widely welcomed the approval, calling it a transformative investment in the UK’s infrastructure. Balfour Beatty’s divisional CEO for major projects, highways and ground engineering, Phil Clifton, stated that the project would “unlock capacity, capability, and careers.” Skanska UK’s executive vice president Andrew English added that it would relieve congestion while showcasing innovations in low-carbon construction. Calls for Funding Clarity Despite the approval, there are concerns over the project’s funding. The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) has urged the government to make a swift decision on financing to ensure work can begin without further delays. However, not everyone supports the scheme. Green Alliance policy adviser Rosie Allen has criticised the government’s approach, arguing that investing in public transport and freight solutions would be a more effective long-term strategy. Campaign group Transport Action Network has described the decision as “economic madness,” questioning the viability of spending up to £16bn on a single road project at a time of budget constraints. As debates continue, the Lower Thames Crossing remains a landmark infrastructure project with the potential to reshape transport in the South East while setting new standards for sustainability in construction. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Prime Minister recently announced the latest tranche of funding for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). This additional investment of £415m will enable further progress on the multi-billion-pound programme, ensuring the delivery of faster, more frequent, and greener rail services between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York. Beyond the transport improvements, TRU is unlocking significant social and economic benefits for the region. Thousands of jobs and hundreds of apprenticeships are being created, local businesses are benefiting from supply chain opportunities and the shift towards greener transport will reduce carbon emissions by up to 87,000 tonnes each year. James Richardson, Managing Director for Transpennine Route Upgrade, said: “The government’s continued support for TRU is a clear vote of confidence in the work we are doing, which is an enabler to releasing the economic potential of the North. This funding supports our onward journey to be truly transformational, delivering faster, more reliable rail services that connect people to jobs, education, and leisure opportunities. “By improving connectivity and increasing capacity, we are not only enhancing journeys for customers but also helping to drive up investment supporting more housing and more jobs and boosting productivity across the region.” The TRU programme is delivering: With this latest announcement, it takes the programme to £7.3bn of approved funding and moves TRU even closer to delivering a modern, high-performing railway, that better connects communities across the North. By enhancing capacity, reliability and sustainability, the programme is improving journeys for passengers, and strengthening the region’s economic future. As work progresses, this transformative Transpennine Route Upgrade will play a vital role in unlocking new opportunities, supporting local businesses and helping create a more prosperous and better-connected North for generations to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The project will drive growth by tackling long standing congestion and improving connectivity between the south-east, the midlands and the north The government has just given planning permission for National Highways’ A122 Lower Thames Crossing project. The most significant road project in a generation will drive growth – the priority in the government’s Plan for Change – by tackling long standing congestion at Dartford and improving connectivity between the south-east, the midlands and the north. For more than 60 years the Dartford Crossing has stood as the only road crossing across the Thames east of London, making it one of the country’s most vital trade routes that connects some of the UK’s busiest ports to the rest of the country. Today, it is used by far more traffic than it was designed for and acts as a bottleneck that causes delays and diversions that holds back the country’s economy. The Lower Thames Crossing is a 14-mile new A-road that will link the A2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Essex through the longest road tunnel in the UK. It will ease congestion at Dartford by almost doubling road capacity across the Thames east of London, and make tens of millions of journeys quicker, safer and more reliable every year. The government is currently exploring private finance options for the project. Construction could start as early as 2026, with the new road expected to open in the early 2030s. The National Highways project is the first in a new generation of projects that will accelerate the construction industry’s move to net zero by using fuels such as hydrogen to power its construction fleet and only using low-carbon concrete and steel. This pioneering approach to carbon has cut the project’s estimated construction footprint by around half so far, with a target to achieve a 70% reduction. The new blueprint for low-carbon construction created on the project is already being replicated across other sectors ranging from nuclear and water to rail and aviation. The project will also restore nature across Kent and Essex by delivering six times more green space than road. Plans include one million additional trees, a new community woodland, and two new public parks overlooking the Thames. The project will also encourage active travel across the area by providing almost three miles of new or improved routes for walkers, cyclists, or horse riders for every mile of new road. The design of the new road was developed following a comprehensive programme of consultation with the local community and a range of organisations. Improvements made following feedback include future proofing it with three lanes in each direction along most of the route, reducing the impact on ancient woodland by 70%, and increasing the length of the tunnel to reduce impacts on local communities and the environment. Around 80% of the route now runs through a tunnel, cutting or embankment to blend it into the landscape and seven green bridges will blend the road into the landscape and provide safer crossing points for people and wildlife. “The Lower Thames Crossing is one of the UK’s most important infrastructure projects. It will unlock growth with quicker, safer, and more reliable journeys and redraw the blueprint for building major projects in a net zero future by scaling up the use low-carbon construction, and leaving a legacy of green spaces and green skills” Matt Palmer, National Highways Executive Director Lower Thames Crossing Matt Palmer, National Highways Executive Director Lower Thames Crossing, said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is one of the UK’s most important infrastructure projects. It will unlock growth with quicker, safer, and more reliable journeys and redraw the blueprint for building major projects in a net zero future by scaling up the use low-carbon construction, and leaving a legacy of green spaces and green skills. “Our plans have been shaped by the local community and refined by robust and rigorous examination from independent experts. We are more committed than ever to working with our neighbours to build the crossing in a way that offers them opportunities to work and learn new skills while reducing impacts. We are shovel ready and have our delivery partners on board, and today’s decision allows us to work with government on funding and start the detailed planning that will let us start construction as soon as possible.” During construction the project will give a boost to British jobs and skills by working with specialist suppliers from across the UK, and will employ almost half of its workforce locally, training them to build the Lower Thames Crossing and equipping them with the skills to take on future projects. Before main construction gets underway, the project and its three delivery partners will work with local authorities, landowners, and stakeholders to refine aspects of the design to further reduce the impact of construction on the local community and environment, and embed new and emerging low carbon technologies and materials. Over the coming months they will also carry out archaeological, ecological, and topographical surveys, as well as further ground investigations to prepare the detailed design and construction plans. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Following its 5-mile drive underneath the capital, HS2 lifted Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Sushila’ out of the ground at the Green Park Way site in Greenford, West London. The cutterhead, front and middle shield, weighting 850 tonnes, were lifted from the vent shaft in one piece on Saturday, March 15, using a 750 tonne gantry crane. The TBM – with a cutterhead spanning 9.48 metres in diameter – was launched from West Ruislip in October 2022 and completed its journey in December 2024. TBM Sushila excavated over 1.2 million tonnes of earth and installed 4,217 tunnel rings. TBM Sushila was used to construct part of the Northolt Tunnel – an 8.4-mile tunnel being built by four TBMs which will take HS2 trains from Old Oak Common Station to the outskirts of the capital. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals