The team building the Northolt Tunnel for HS2 have reached a new milestone, completing the construction of 34 cross passages. Cross passages connect the northbound and southbound tunnel and are a safety feature which allows passengers to cross to the adjacent tunnel in the event of an emergency. The Northolt Tunnel is 8.4 miles long, running underground between West Ruislip Victoria Road in Ealing, west London – just outside HS2’s Old Oak Common station. At its deepest point, the tunnel is 35 metres below ground. The tunnel was constructed using four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and the excavation was finished in June 2025. Following completion of the cross-passages, engineers will turn to the installation of reinforced concrete secondary collars, which will form the permanent openings for cross passage doors and enable the installation of permanent fire-rated sliding doors. It is expected that all structural works on the tunnel – the second longest on the 140-mile route between London and the West Midlands – will be completed later this year. The tunnel will then be readied for installation of the rail systems such as tracks and overhead power in the coming years. Malcolm Codling, Project Client for HS2 Ltd, said: “The progress made to construct the Northolt Tunnel demonstrates the commitment of our teams to deliver this vital infrastructure efficiently and safely. “Completing the construction of the cross passages is an important step towards finishing the civil engineering on the tunnel which will allow us to ultimately begin rail systems work including laying track.” The connections have been made using a spray concrete lining (SCL) mining technique where the team methodically cuts through the ground between the two tunnel bores. The distance between the two tunnel bores ranges from 6metres to 20metres. The work is carried out using mini-excavators, and every metre of earth cut is supported with sprayed concrete lining while the cross-passage slowly takes shape. Once the team has completed the lined tunnel, a water-proof membrane is installed followed by a secondary concrete lining. 11 of the cross passages were constructed using a ground freezing technique. This method was adopted due the presence of water bearing soils with a high-water table present in the ground in the western section of the tunnel. The methodology required the team to insert freeze pipes through special tunnel segments to create a 2m thick freeze wall to stabilise the ground before excavation could take place. HS2’s London Tunnels Contractor is Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV). They are responsible for the main works civils construction of HS2 between Hillingdon and Camden, bringing the HS2 line into Euston. Dave Hannon, Tunnels & Routeway Director from SCS JV said:  “The completion of all 34 cross passages along the Northolt Tunnel marks another important step forward for the programme, demonstrating consistent progress across multiple work fronts and the coordinated effort of our teams working deep beneath London.  “With this phase complete, we can progress on the next stage of works on the tunnel, with safety and productivity at the forefront.” Booth Industries in Bolton are manufacturing the doors for all the tunnels across the HS2 route. With high-speed trains passing within metres of the doors, they will be capable of withstanding constant 14Kpa pressure cycles, along with 2hr Integrity and 2hr Insulation against fire – a world first and setting a new benchmark within the industry. They are being manufactured using majority UK made steel. While the completion of the cross passages for the Northolt Tunnel demonstrates progress on the HS2 route, there is still a vast amount of work to do across the 140-mile route between London and Birmingham. Mark Wild, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive, is leading a comprehensive reset of the project to ensure the remainder of the route is delivered as efficiently as possible and for the lowest reasonable cost. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major programme to improve travel in Didcot and nearby villages has reached a fresh milestone, with Oxfordshire County Council appointing GRAHAM to deliver the Clifton Hampden Bypass element of the Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure (HIF1) scheme. This award is the second of three construction contracts for the scheme, which is designed to provide essential transport infrastructure and reduce congestion. The project aims to provide more reliable journey times, enhance walking and cycling links, support new employment sites and housing in and around Didcot, and enable improved bus services. The Clifton Hampden Bypass will re‑route A415 traffic around the village of Clifton Hampden. Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “The A415 is a busy road that experiences a large amount of through traffic and congestion on the A415 to A4074. It runs right through Clifton Hampden, including past the village primary school. This bypass will completely transform that, moving traffic onto a new road to the north of the village. “I’m very pleased that we’ve successfully appointed a contractor to provide this much needed bypass.” The bypass will comprise a new single carriageway with segregated shared walking and cycling facilities, linking the A415 at Culham Science Centre to the B4015 Oxford Road to the north of Clifton Hampden. A new roundabout at the western end will provide access to Culham Science Centre and Culham railway station. Additional junctions are planned to the east of the new roundabout on the existing A415, as well as at the north‑eastern end of the new road. Andrew Henry, GRAHAM Contracts Director said: “GRAHAM’s latest appointment by Oxfordshire County Council reflects our ongoing partnership with the local authority. We are pleased to have been appointed to deliver this important infrastructure scheme, which will play a key role in improving connectivity in and around Didcot. “At GRAHAM, we bring a strong track record of delivering complex infrastructure projects, and we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Oxfordshire County Council to successfully deliver this scheme and create lasting benefits for the region.” Pauline Schaffer, Director – Infrastructure Funding, Homes England, said the appointment of GRAHAM by Oxfordshire County Council is another major step forward in delivering vital transport improvements for Didcot and the surrounding areas. “Homes England’s investment through the Housing Infrastructure Fund is helping to bring forward the Didcot infrastructure scheme, unlocking much needed new homes and economic growth for the local area.” Enabling works, including site clearance, archaeology investigations and utility diversions, are already under way. Main construction is expected to begin in the spring and take approximately two years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Network Rail and South Western Railway will deliver a £6 million upgrade at Berrylands station in south-west London, requiring a full closure from Monday 11 May until the end of September. During this time, South Western Railway services will not call at the station while engineers replace both platforms and carry out safety improvements. The station, which stands on a five-metre embankment and currently has partially timber platforms, will receive new glass‑reinforced plastic platforms designed to extend the station’s life for decades. Passengers will also benefit from upgraded lighting, CCTV, Customer Information Screens and station help points. A rail replacement bus will operate every 30 minutes between New Malden and Surbiton throughout the closure, during which the ticket office, car park and toilets will also be shut. Buses to New Malden will depart from Stop B and buses to Surbiton from Stop A on Surbiton Hill Park, a short walk from the station. Passengers travelling towards London should use New Malden, while those heading towards Woking should travel from Surbiton. Local residents and businesses may experience intermittent footway restrictions on Lower Marsh Lane, parking suspensions on Chiltern Drive and occasional, temporary road closures to facilitate construction access. Network Rail and SWR are working with stakeholders to minimise disruption and will provide advance notice of any traffic changes. Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, George Murrell, Wessex Route Renewals Director, said: “When Berrylands station reopens later this year, passengers will benefit from a brighter, more welcoming station with modern platforms, improved lighting, CCTV and better customer information. “We know closing the station for several months will be inconvenient, but this £6 million investment will provide our passengers with a much better experience when travelling with us. We’re grateful to the local community for their patience while we carry out these important upgrades.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Balfour Beatty VINCI, HS2’s construction partner in the West Midlands, is preparing to launch the second viaduct over the M6, marking another major milestone in the delivery of the UK’s highspeed rail network. Engineers are gearing up to move the west deck of the M6 South viaduct, which is currently being assembled in four sections near Chelmsley Wood. The first 107metre section will be slid into position over the M6 junction 4 southbound slip road , using a specialist hydraulic jack to manoeuvre the 1,250tonne weathering steel structure across 102 metres onto its concrete piers.  Once installed, the west deck will sit parallel to the 320metre east deck, which was safely launched over the M6 in three stages in 2025. The final phase of that installation was a UKfirst, completed while traffic continued to flow beneath the structure thanks to close collaboration between HS2 and National Highways. Russel Luckhurt, Civil Engineer at Balfour Beatty VINCI said: “Building on the success of installing the East deck viaduct last year, we’re gearing up for the first launch of the neighbouring West deck in April. “We’re using the same sliding technique, where a giant hydraulic jack will push the viaduct across the motorway in multiple stages throughout the year. The previous launches provided the team with invaluable experience, which they’re eager to apply to future works on this eye-catching structure spanning the M6.”  The west deck has required an additional assembly stage compared with the east deck. Space constraints, the staggered positioning of the abutments, and the curve of the adjacent loop road have created a shorter launch platform, meaning the structure must be built in four smaller sections before sliding into place. Commenting on progress, Ian Clarke, HS2 Ltd’s Project Manager for the M6 works, said: “After safely completing the first viaduct on time, our engineers have wasted no time in forging ahead with the second installation. Thanks to the world‑class engineering techniques we’re adopting on HS2, we’ve once again been able to reduce the number of temporary closures on the motorway while we carry out these essential works.” Once complete, the twin 320‑metre viaducts will carry HS2 trains over one of the busiest parts of the motorway network, improving capacity and connectivity between Birmingham and London. The launch represents another significant achievement for Balfour Beatty VINCI as it continues to deliver major civil engineering works across the West Midlands section of HS2. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has been appointed by the Greater Cambridge Partnership to deliver the Waterbeach railway station haul road – the company’s first project awarded under the Eastern Highways Alliance  Framework (EHF4). The £800 million framework is managed by Central Bedfordshire Council and includes a collaborative group of ten local authorities across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough, Southend-on-Sea, Suffolk, and Thurrock. The project commenced in November and is due for completion in Summer 2026, with Winvic delivering the works under a NEC4 Option A contract. Procured via a competitive mini competition under Lot 1 of the EHA Framework, the £3 million scheme forms a key early enabling element of the wider gateway works for the construction of the new town of Waterbeach and the future railway station. The 3.1km haul road is crucial to providing access for the next phase of works, enabling Spencer Group to begin construction of the new station. Approximately 830 metres of the route will utilise the existing former airfield taxiway as a foundation within the Urban & Civic site, with a further 2.3km of new carriageway constructed across the wider Waterbeach development. On completion, the road will feature a 3.75m-wide single carriageway with passing bays on the farmland section and a 7.0m-wide single carriageway along the taxiway, supported by drainage and fencing throughout. A significant programme of earthworks and utilities protection will be undertaken, with Winvic reusing surplus site-won material for level adjustments, bund creation and ditch excavations. Winvic is also further exploring value-engineering opportunities to reduce material use, cost and carbon where feasible. Winvic will manage extensive stakeholder engagement throughout delivery, including regular coordination with the Greater Cambridge Partnership, which is responsible for the delivery of the new railway station itself, and the developer Urban & Civic. Key traffic and pedestrian management measures will be implemented on Bannold Drove (Green Lane), with early engagement planned to minimise disruption to the surrounding community. The site’s historic use as a former army barracks also introduces archaeological oversight, UXO considerations and remote working requirements, with the team operating up to 3km from the main compound. As part of its EHA social value commitments, Winvic will deliver a structured programme of employment, skills and community initiatives in collaboration with local supply chain partners, SMEs, educational providers and charities. Activities will be shaped by local needs and aligned with framework reporting requirements, including opportunities for apprentices, underrepresented groups and targeted community support. Rob Cook,  Winvic’s Managing Director for Civils and Infrastructure, said: “Securing our first project under the EHA Framework is a significant milestone for Winvic and reflects the strength of our relationship with the Greater Cambridge Partnership, Cambridgeshire County Council and partners across the region. The Waterbeach Station haul road is an important enabling scheme that underpins the long-term growth of the new town and the delivery of critical transport infrastructure. We look forward to bringing our civil engineering expertise, collaborative approach and commitment to creating a positive impact in the local area, helping set the standard for future schemes under the framework.” Thomas Fitzpatrick, Head of Programme at the Greater Cambridge Partnership, said: “We’re pleased to appoint Winvic to the first phase of work for the new Waterbeach station – building the haul road. The road is designed to minimise disruption to residents during construction of the new station later in the year. We’ve got a package of transport projects in Waterbeach – a new travel hub with park and ride facilities, a new busway, and the Waterbeach Greenway. With the new station, we’re not only providing another sustainable transport option but also unlocking new housing for local people.” Join Winvic on social media – LinkedIn, and Instagram. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The City of London Planning Committee resolved to grant planning permission for Network Rail’s transformation of London Liverpool Street, which was last redeveloped in 1991 after passenger numbers tripled over the past 35 years. The scheme is designed to future‑proof the station for decades. Liverpool Street currently handles about 118 million passengers a year across London, East Anglia and the east of England. With annual users forecast to rise by 35% to 158 million by 2041, the approved plans aim to ensure the station can accommodate more than 200 million people in the longer term. Network Rail says the project will also support the Square Mile’s growth, with figures indicating the transformation could add up to £4.6bn a year to the City of London economy through increased visitor numbers – a contribution comparable in scale to a 1p change in the basic rate of income tax, referencing HM Revenue & Customs’ January 2025 “Direct effects of illustrative tax changes” bulletin. Key passenger improvements include: Heritage conservation is central to the design, with the Victorian trainshed remaining untouched. The plans will also open up new vantage points over the historic architecture, bringing passengers closer to the station’s original fabric. The infrastructure works are supported by a new office building above the concourse, incorporating a publicly accessible roof garden. Network Rail says the workspace will be among the capital’s best‑connected and most sustainably located, aligning with the City’s growth ambitions. Ellie Burrows, Managing Director for Network Rail’s Eastern region, said: “This decision represents a key step towards the transformation of Britain’s busiest station and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Liverpool Street. “Our plans focus on improving the everyday experience for passengers whilst respecting the station’s unique heritage. With annual passenger numbers forecast to grow to 158 million, this approval ensures the station will be future proofed for decades to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans for a major overhaul of Liverpool Street Station have been approved by the City of London Corporation, paving the way for a comprehensive redevelopment of Britain’s busiest railway station. The scheme will create a modern, fully accessible transport hub designed to meet growing passenger demand, while introducing new commercial, cultural and public spaces within and around the station. The project aims to futureproof the gateway to the Square Mile, ensuring it remains fit for purpose in an increasingly competitive global city landscape. Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, described the approval as a significant milestone for the City. He said the redevelopment would strengthen the Square Mile’s business ecosystem through upgraded infrastructure, generate employment opportunities and reinforce London’s standing as a world-leading destination. Hayward added that the plans would ensure residents, workers and visitors benefit from a more inclusive, efficient and forward-looking transport interchange, capable of supporting the City’s continued growth. Tom Sleigh, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee, said the scheme represents a substantial upgrade to a station that handles millions of passengers each year. He highlighted the architectural ambition of the design, including the reimagining of the station’s distinctive brick arches, which will help redefine Liverpool Street as a contemporary transport landmark. The redevelopment is expected to enhance passenger experience through improved accessibility, circulation and amenities, while also delivering high-quality new spaces that contribute to the wider urban environment. With approval now secured, the project marks a decisive step towards modernising one of the capital’s most important transport gateways and reinforcing its role at the heart of London’s commercial core. The approved scheme is set to transform Liverpool Street into a future-ready hub that blends heritage, connectivity and commercial opportunity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

c.£100m five-year project will provide critical access to Agratas gigafactory in Somerset. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been appointed to design and build a new junction on the M5 motorway. Awarded through the Regional Delivery Partnership (RDP) framework, the contract is worth approximately £100m to Costain over a five-year period. Junction 22A is a new motorway junction being constructed between Burnham-On-Sea and Bridgwater, in Somerset. It will provide access to the Gravity Smart Campus and £4bn gigafactory being developed by Agratas, which will be Britain’s biggest electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility. The junction will consist of north facing slip roads and will alleviate congestion on the motorway south of the Huntspill river. Costain’s role as the project’s delivery integration partner and main works contractor will see it design and construct the new junction before handing it over to National Highways upon completion. In its role, Costain will provide a range of best-in-class infrastructure services, including design, engineering, programme delivery and supply chain management. WSP will support Costain as design partner. Alex Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer of Costain, commented: “This award is built on our long-established highways delivery expertise and trusted partner relationship with National Highways. We will work closely with our supply chain partners to design and deliver this new junction that will provide access to the new gigafactory and help to drive economic growth in this region of the UK. “This investment, supporting the UK’s growth ambitions, is another example of Costain’s commitment to deliver critical national infrastructure programmes that improve people’s lives.” Costain is a long-term partner to National Highways and last year completed the construction of 41 emergency areas on the M1 ahead of schedule. Costain is also providing specialist technical engineering advice to National Highways under its Specialist Professional and Technical Services Framework (SPaTS3), which will cover the whole of the period for Roads Investment Strategy 3 (2026-2031). The infrastructure solutions company is also National Highways’ delivery partner for the M60/M62/M66 Simister Island Interchange scheme. In addition, Costain was recently added to join the Eastern Highways Alliance’s EH4 Framework, covering a range of civil engineering and construction works across the East of England. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Gloucestershire County Council has secured an additional £71.5 million from the UK Government to deliver the transformative M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme. The funding will enable the council to press ahead with key transport upgrades designed to unlock homes, jobs and investment across the county. On completion, the scheme is expected to support the delivery of more than 20,000 new homes — including over 7,000 that are affordable — underpin the Golden Valley development and the National Cyber Innovation Centre and technology cluster with around 12,000 skilled jobs, and build on the successful delivery of the £33 million Arle Court Transport Hub. Development consent for the project was granted by the Secretary of State for Transport in June 2025, marking a major milestone and confirming its strategic importance for Gloucestershire’s transport network and economy. Cllr Julian Tooke, Cabinet Member for Business, Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure, said: “Securing this additional Government funding is a turning point for Gloucestershire. The delivery of the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme is a catalyst for transformational growth and opportunity in the region, driving future investment and prosperity. I’m grateful to Homes England and our partners for their support and confidence in this essential infrastructure.” The newly confirmed £71.5m is from the UK Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, administered by Homes England, and will close the remaining funding gap to deliver the full set of improvements. Funding already secured includes contributions from the Housing Infrastructure Fund, district council Community Infrastructure Levy receipts, Gloucestershire County Council, and Section 106 developer contributions from sites that will directly benefit from the scheme. Gloucestershire County Council is leading delivery of the scheme in collaboration with National Highways and other partners. Weather-dependent preparatory works began in autumn 2025 to avoid rising costs and keep the project on track, with appointed contractor Galliford Try undertaking early site activities. With the extra funding now in place, the council and partners will finalise delivery arrangements and continue preparation ahead of the main construction phase starting in autumn 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals