Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) teams have made strong progress with works in the Huddersfield area while the railway has been closed, with work continuing until Sunday 4 October. The new leadership of Kirklees Council were invited to see the work at Huddersfield station firsthand and discuss the benefits TRU is bringing to rail users and local communities. Their visit provided an opportunity to highlight the transformational impact TRU is having on regeneration in Huddersfield. A recent Network Rail-commissioned study found that planning applications within 1.5 miles of Huddersfield station have increased by nearly 33% since TRU funding was confirmed in 2020, with the programme estimated to generate £1.9 billion in GVA, create nearly 5,000 full-time equivalent jobs, and support the delivery of almost 1,200 new homes. This impact is being unlocked through a once-in-a-generation upgrade of the station and the wider TRU footprint. TRU teams are halfway through a 16-day closure, and during the first week improvement works included: Before the railway line reopens on Monday 5 October, works continue on: James Richardson, TRU managing director, said: “Huddersfield is one of the most significant sites across the TRU footprint. Our work at Huddersfield station and on the wider railway  will deliver a once-in-a-generation transformation, that will not only improve connectivity but help drive economic growth and wider investment in the town. “People can clearly see the progress we’ve made since work started on site in 2023 and the scale of work being undertaken during this ongoing closure, which will pave the way for real benefits for passengers by early 2027.” Councillor John Hardie, Kirklees Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transport and Highways, said: “Rail travel across Kirklees is changing, and it was fantastic to see first-hand the significant work taking place to transform Huddersfield Railway Station into a station for the future. “This generational investment in our rail infrastructure will strengthen the connections to towns and cities across the north of England, unlocking new opportunities for education, employment, and training for the people of Kirklees. “The Transpennine Route Upgrade is creating a railway network fit for Kirklees that supports our position as a vibrant, well-connected place to live and work.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Future passengers using Elizabeth line services at HS2’s Old Oak Common in west London will benefit from step free access following agreement between HS2 Ltd, Network Rail, Transport for London and the Department for Transport. Located between Paddington and Acton Main Line, Old Oak Common will be the 42nd stop on the Elizabeth line and one of the UK’s best-connected stations, with trains serving more than 100 destinations. The decision follows extensive technical, operational and accessibility work, including consultation with campaign groups, accessibility panels and relevant train operators. The Department for Transport has approved an exemption from the usual national platform height requirements. This will allow platforms 5 to 8 to be constructed at a height optimised for Elizabeth line trains while complying with applicable accessibility requirements. The reduction in step and gap between Elizabeth line trains and the platforms will enable many passengers with reduced mobility to board and leave trains independently, without the need for a ramp or staff assistance. Level boarding will also make journeys easier for people travelling with luggage, parents and carers with pushchairs, older passengers and anyone who finds it difficult to negotiate the usual step between a platform and train. The HS2 platforms at Old Oak Common, located underground, will also be step-free, so passengers interchanging between Elizabeth line and HS2 services will have a seamless and safe step-free journey through the new superhub station. Under the previous plans, the platforms would have been built to the standard height used across the national rail network, and ramps would have been required to provide step free access to Elizabeth line trains. The engineering solution was made possible by close collaboration through the new Old Oak Common area delivery model. Established as part of the HS2 Reset, the model brings together key organisations involved in the station’s design, construction and future operation. Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said: “Everyone should be able to travel confidently and independently on our rail network, so I’m delighted that passengers using the Elizabeth line at Old Oak Common will benefit from level boarding and seamless step-free access.  “This is a practical improvement that will make journeys easier for thousands of people and shows what can be achieved when the rail industry works together to put passengers first.” Mark Wild, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive, said: “Old Oak Common is set to become one of the best-connected new stations ever built in the UK and delivering step-free access here is vital for passenger safety and accessibility.” “This engineering solution shows what can be achieved when HS2, Network Rail, Transport for London, the Department for Transport, train operators and accessibility groups work together to prioritise passengers.” “The new station is projected to boost the west London economy by £10 billion over the next decade. We remain focussed on safely opening the railway from Old Oak Common to Birmingham Curzon Street in 2037 and creating a station that provides better journeys and supports growth for generations to come.” Rupert Walker, Major Programme Director, Network Rail, said:  “Old Oak Common will be one of the UK’s most important transport interchanges, connecting people to more than 100 destinations across the UK. Making sure customers can move through the station and onto Elizabeth line services as independently and seamlessly as possible has been a key priority for everyone involved.  “By providing level boarding for customers using platforms 5 to 8, we’re making it easier for Elizabeth line customers to travel independently. This means more people will be able to travel with confidence, access new opportunities and benefit from the exceptional connectivity that Old Oak Common will provide.  “This outcome has only been possible through a huge joint effort by teams in HS2, Network Rail, Transport for London, the Department for Transport, train operators and accessibility groups, all working together to create a more accessible railway for everyone.” Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said:  “Elizabeth line passengers are expected to account for around 90 per cent of interchanges at Old Oak Common, so level boarding is vital for the safety and accessibility of our customers.  “The platforms will also be step-free from the street, benefitting local residents as well as those travelling through the station, and supporting the growth in homes planned in the area.   “The solution that has been achieved highlights the importance of collaboration in the rail industry and with stakeholders, and it is fantastic news that Old Oak Common will join the Elizabeth line’s 41 stations that provide step-free access.” The engineering solution involves lowering the tracks serving platforms 5 to 8 and installing solid concrete slab track through the station rather than ballast. The platforms will be designed to accommodate a range of passenger and freight services, providing operational flexibility for the railway. Level boarding will, however, only be available to Elizabeth line passengers when services are calling at their usual platforms. Construction of Old Oak Common’s six underground high-speed platforms has been completed, and work will now begin on the eight conventional platforms at ground level. These will serve the Elizabeth line, Great Western Main Line and Heathrow Express. Economic research published by HS2 last year showed that the arrival of the new station could boost the west London economy by £10 billion over a decade. The research, conducted by Arcadis, found that HS2 could support more than 22,000 homes, 693,000 square metres of commercial floorspace and 18,782 jobs within 1.5 miles of Old Oak Common. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) has completed a major weekend of engineering works on HS2, installing the final two 1,000-tonne viaduct spans over the M42 near Birmingham while simultaneously completing the roof structure of another major motorway crossing. The operation marked the culmination of four weekends of intensive construction activity and represents another significant milestone for HS2 infrastructure around Birmingham. At Water Orton, a 75-strong construction team installed two 45-metre-long viaduct spans, completing all six crossings required to carry the new high-speed railway over the M42. Each enormous span was assembled from 18 precast concrete segments manufactured at BBV’s Kingsbury facility. Once assembled, the structures were transported into position using self-propelled modular transporters before being secured together using internal tensioning cables. The two Water Orton viaducts form part of HS2’s complex triangular delta junction, which will connect Birmingham with the main high-speed route heading north. While work progressed at Water Orton, another 150-strong BBV team was completing the final stage of a separate 300-metre-long twin box structure close to the NEC. A 300-tonne crawler crane was used to lift the final 44 precast beams into position. Measuring approximately 23 metres in length and weighing as much as 92 tonnes each, the beams form part of the structure’s substantial 9,800-tonne roof. In total, 175 beams have now been installed across the twin box. The completed structure stands approximately 10 metres high and is supported by two 145-metre-long walls and 46 internal columns. Careful programming allowed both major operations to take place during the same weekend motorway closure, minimising disruption to road users. The M42 reopened at approximately 4am on Monday, around an hour ahead of schedule. BBV project director Oliver Shore described the works as a “huge engineering challenge” and praised the teams involved in delivering the complex programme. Work at Water Orton will now move into its next phase, with BBV extending the Water Orton 2 viaduct by a further 40 metres to close the remaining gap above Gilson Road. Further activity over the motorway is already planned, with another M42 closure scheduled from 23 to 26 October to enable parapets to be installed above the carriageway. The latest milestone demonstrates the scale of temporary works, heavy lifting, off-site manufacturing and logistical coordination involved in constructing HS2 around existing strategic highways, with BBV continuing to progress some of the programme’s most technically demanding structures across the West Midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Southeastern services have resumed, once again, at Charing Cross and Waterloo East after a 22-day closure for essential engineering work at the central London terminus. During the closure, engineers replaced almost two kilometres of 36-year-old track and the switches and crossings, the moveable rails that allow trains to switch paths, south of Hungerford Bridge. They also renewed the wheel timbers, the equivalent of sleepers when going over bridges, and completed structural repairs to sections of the Hungerford bridge’s steelwork before repainting it. Teams made full use of this once-in-a-generation closure to rebuild sections of platform at Charing Cross, removing 540 tonnes of concrete and installing more than 2,000m2 of glass-reinforced plastic. Working across all six platforms at once, they demolished sections, installed new steelwork and laid new surfaces. With Waterloo East closed, teams took the opportunity to complete work that could not be carried out safely while trains and passengers were using the station. They cleaned, treated and repainted the footbridge steelwork to protect it from the weather, and replaced window panels with self-cleaning glass that brings more light into the passageways and can be opened to improve ventilation. Network Rail and Southeastern, working together as the integrated South Eastern Railway, spent 18 months planning the closure and combined these essential renewals into one 22-day programme. The work will help keep the railway fit for decades to come, support a safer, better and more reliable railway at lower cost to taxpayers, and improve the customer experience at these central London stations. Completing the work in one extended summer holiday closure, when commuter numbers are around 20% lower, reduced overall disruption. This lowered delivery costs and gave passengers the benefits of the improvements sooner with the alternative options being 60 weekend closures or four separate nine-day closures. Scott Brightwell, Safety, Planning and Performance Director, South Eastern Railway, said: “We are pleased to have reopened the line between Charing Cross and London Bridge after 22 days of intensive work. “We know closing two of London’s busiest stations for more than three weeks caused inconvenience for many customers, I am sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience. Completing this essential work in one 22-day closure, rather than over 60 weekends, allowed us to carry out station improvement works that would, otherwise, have been impossible to achieve.” “Our teams replaced track and platforms dating back to 1990s, completed essential structural repairs to Hungerford Bridge (over the Thames) and Waterloo East station improvements. “Thank you to customers for bearing with us whilst we complete the works and thank you to the hundreds of colleagues who worked 24/7 through the high temperatures.” Liz Baldwin, Southern Integrated Delivery Director, Southern Renewals Enterprise, said: “The successful completion of the Charing Cross and Waterloo East closure is one of the most significant achievements delivered by Southern Renewals Enterprise to date. It demonstrates the power of the Enterprise model, bringing together colleagues from across the SRE, Network Rail, Southeastern and our Ecosystem supply chain partners to safely deliver a huge volume of work in a single coordinated programme. “I would like to thank everyone involved for their professionalism, teamwork and dedication, particularly those who worked around the clock in extremely challenging temperatures. I’d also like to thank our passengers and local communities for their patience and understanding while these vital upgrades were carried out.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The first completed cut and cover tunnel on Britain’s new high-speed railway has been revealed at a site on London’s western periphery. HS2’s 880-metre Copthall ‘green’ tunnel near West Ruislip has been created using 1.2 million cubic metres of material excavated during construction of the line’s nearby twin-bore Northolt tunnel. Originally planned as an open cutting, engineers opted for a cut and cover design. The decision enabled the Northolt tunnel material to be kept on site – negating the need to transport it elsewhere by road in an operation that would have resulted in around 100,000 truck movements. It is the only ‘single bore’ tunnel on the new high-speed line and its cavernous size is engineered to accommodate the forces generated by 200mph passing trains. The tunnel is built by SCS – HS2’s main civil engineering contractor for the route’s southern section – which is made up of Skanska, Costain and STRABAG. Copthall is the first of five cut-and-cover tunnels to be completed on the HS2 route between London and the West Midlands – meaning both the tunnel structure and the covering of earth over the top is finished. The next stage of works includes the planting of trees, plants, and shrubs on top to blend into the landscape. The other four green tunnels are also well advanced, with an announcement earlier in July that the structure of Chipping Warden tunnel in Northamptonshire has been completed ahead of works to backfill material. The milestone underlines the scale of the progress being made on HS2 that will create vital new rail capacity between London and the West Midlands – providing faster and more reliable journeys while releasing space on the crowded West Coast Main Line. HS2 Ltd CEO Mark Wild is now leading a comprehensive reset of the project to ensure that it is delivered as efficiently as possible and for the lowest reasonable cost. The 140-mile railway is now at a peak construction and significant improvements in productivity have been made over the last year, with six major milestones being reached ahead of schedule. In May, the Department for Transport confirmed a new delivery schedule and costs for the programme as part of the project’s reset, providing certainty for the taxpayer and local communities. It also announced plans to simplify the railway – operating trains at the same speed as those in Japan and mainland Europe – in a move designed to save up to £2.5bn and cut a year from the construction programme.   Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “The completion of Copthall tunnel marks another significant milestone for HS2. Making use of innovative design, the tunnel reduces the impact on nearby communities by blending into its surroundings whilst keeping thousands of truck journeys off local roads by using materials close to the site. “Our reset of HS2 is driving faster, more efficient construction on-the-ground and supporting thousands of jobs as we work to deliver the project at the lowest reasonable cost.” James Leeming, Head of Delivery – HS2 said: “Finishing civil works on HS2’s first-completed ‘green’ tunnel clearly demonstrates the progress that’s being made to deliver the first new intercity railway north of London in over a century. “I pay tribute to the dedicated workforce that has worked since early 2021– and in all weathers – to deliver this remarkable structure, which was a key component of our plan to deal with the muck excavated to build part of HS2’s tunnelled sections.”   Copthall is positioned between the twin-bore Northolt tunnel and the Colne Valley viaduct – Britain’s longest railway bridge, which was completed last year. It is more than half a mile long, 12m high and up to 16m wide inside. Its five natural ventilation shafts reach down a maximum of 17metres to the tunnel’s roof from the newly-created landscape above. The team used innovative travelling ‘form work’ and ‘false work’ systems that moved forward 20m at a time enabling them to achieve the tunnel’s gentle curve. Situated next to the Chilterns railway and at the southern end of HS2’s viaduct across the Colne Valley, engineering this route section involved moving the busy Harvil Road and rebuilding it to modern standards that included a new bridge to carry it over the high-speed line. Jonathan Morris, Managing Director at SCS, said: “Combining an ambitious tunnel design, engineering expertise, and high-quality construction, Copthall Tunnel is a fantastic example of how we are building the railway in harmony with the environment.  “Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture has delivered this key part of HS2 thanks to great partnerships and a collaborative approach to every stage of construction. My thanks go out to the brilliant team who has delivered this milestone whilst maintaining the highest levels of safety throughout delivery.” With civil works now complete, over the coming two years Copthall tunnel’s earth covering will be planted, and then start to blend into the surrounding environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Major improvement works modernising the railway between Morley and Dewsbury in West Yorkshire have taken the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) a step closer to delivering faster, more frequent trains on a more reliable and greener network across the North. Work began on Saturday 30 May and ran until Saturday 27 June. During this period, teams completed a number of improvements including: The transformation of both Dewsbury and Batley stations are now almost complete – both will offer improved accessibility, extended platforms that can accommodate longer trains with more seats, and enhanced facilities for customers travelling across the North.  Jonathan Hepton, project sponsor for TRU, said: “We’re delighted to have completed this latest series of work safely and on time, thanks to the hard work of our teams and the support of our customers and our communities. TRU has made great strides in delivering a more reliable, electrified railway across the Pennines so far this year, with significant station upgrades delivered, too. “By the end of summer, we look forward to unveiling a transformed Batley station with a brand-new footbridge, lifts and platforms, which will greatly improve step-free access around the station. At Dewsbury, we will be introducing better waiting facilities and extended platforms.” “I’d like to say a big thank you to our teams who worked around the clock and throughout the recent very hot weather.” The focus now shifts to a series of weekend works at Huddersfield station across July and August, in preparation for 16 days of improvement works in September. Customers will be kept on the move via diversionary routes and rail replacement buses on the weekends of July 4-5, July 11-12, July 18-19, July 25-26, and August 1-2. Weekday services remain unaffected. Liam O’Shaughnessy, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, said:  “Over the last month, the Transpennine Route Upgrade has made great progress made in in delivering upgrades between Huddersfield and Leeds. The investment in both the infrastructure and improving customer facilities, including at Batley station where improvements will continue this year, will benefit our customers and communities for years to come. “Working together with partners across the rail industry, we have been able to keep people moving as these works have progressed and we would like to thank everyone for their patience while these works have taken place.” The weekend improvement works at Huddersfield include: Extending the new footbridge and the existing subway Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

New transport link to reduce existing congestion and serve up to 4,000 new homes near King’s Lynn. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been chosen by Norfolk County Council to finalise the detailed design and build the West Winch Housing Access Road scheme near King’s Lynn, Norfolk. The new 1.5-mile West Winch Housing Access Road will connect the A47 with the existing A10 to serve up to four thousand new homes planned for the new Growth Area south of King’s Lynn. Once opened, the new road will become part of the A10. In addition to designing and building the new road, Costain will also include the creation of new roundabouts that will provide access to the new housing areas, a cycle path alongside the new road as well as dualling just under one mile of the A47 trunk road. The contract with Costain is a significant part of the overall £122m project. Detailed design will commence this year, with construction anticipated to start in 2027. Andy Denman, Road Sector Director at Costain, commented: “This award is built on our long-established highways delivery expertise and our proven track record in delivering best-in-class, value-for-money services for local authorities across the UK. “The West Winch Housing Access Road is an exciting project that will significantly improve people’s lives and help support the local economy. We’re looking forward to bringing constructability to the heart of the design to minimise risk and maximise efficiency, working closely with our supply chain partners to deliver this new road safely and efficiently.” Grahame Bygrave, Lead Director – Infrastructure at Norfolk County Council, said: “Congratulations to Costain for being awarded the design and build contract for the project, it’s great to have them on board. Our project team will work closely with them to continue to move this project forward and progress to the start of construction as soon as possible.” Costain will draw on its experience in delivering critical road, water and energy infrastructure across the East of England. This includes Costain’s leading position as part of the Eastern Highways Alliance Framework, delivering road upgrades across 11 local authorities in the region. It has also upgraded 1625km of gas mains for Cadent, providing new gas mains for 168,000 homes. In addition, as part of Anglian Water’s Strategic Pipeline Alliance, Costain is delivering hundreds of kilometres of new water pipeline to enhance the region’s resilience to climate change and water scarcity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

London Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations are set to close for a 22-day period this summer as Southeastern Railway carries out a £20 million programme of essential infrastructure upgrades. The main closure will take place from Sunday 26 July to Sunday 16 August 2026. This window, supplemented by several preparation and follow-up weekends, will enable engineers to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of the site. The works include the replacement of nearly two kilometres of track dating back 36 years, the rebuilding of platform sections at Charing Cross, and the upgrading of track drainage systems. Structural repairs will also be conducted on two vital crossings: the Hungerford Bridge, which carries the railway over the River Thames, and the pedestrian link bridge connecting Waterloo East to London Waterloo. The project is designed to modernise one of the most critical sections of the Southeastern network, ensuring a safer and more resilient service for the future. By opting for a continuous 22-day block, the railway avoids the alternative of 60 separate weekend closures or multiple nine-day shutdowns. Scott Brightwell, Train Services Director at Southeastern Railway, said: “The £20 million investment we are delivering will see 1990s track and platforms upgraded to make journeys safer and more reliable, and Victorian era structures strengthened to remain fit for the future. “By consolidating the work into 22-day closure, supported by preparation and follow-up weekends, we can complete the work more quickly and with less disruption overall than the alternative options of 60 weekend closures or four to five 9-day closures. “We have planned the closure for the summer, when passenger numbers are around 20 per cent lower and schools are closed, to help manage the impact on customers.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals