Mace has been appointed to several major projects for Associated British Ports (ABP). It has been appointed through ABP’s Group Professional Services Framework and will provide a range of services, including project management, cost and commercial advisory, project support and site supervision. The consultancy arm of the business has won
HS2’s plans for the Balsall Common Viaduct in Warwickshire, recently submitted to Solihull Council, incorporate local feedback focussing on environmental sustainability, landscape integration, visual connectivity and public access. HS2’s main works contractor, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), supported by a Design Joint Venture of Mott MacDonald and Systra together with architects
HS2 has revealed images of a big construction milestone in Birmingham city centre, with the completion of the first giant V-shaped pier for the 300 metres long viaduct that will bring high speed trains into the new Curzon Street Station. The five-metre-tall structure is the first pier to be installed
The last of 292 concrete piles that will form the foundations for the UK’s longest railway bridge were installed this week at the site of HS2’s Colne Valley Viaduct, marking a successful end to the first phase of the record-breaking project. Once complete, the 2.1 miles (3.4km) bridge will carry
MAG (Manchester Airports Group) today revealed the green light for a £440m of investment in Manchester Airport, creating thousands of jobs and unlocking billions of pounds of economic value for the North over the next decade. The investment will transform the passenger experience at the UK’s third largest airport, with
The Leader of Barnet Council, Cllr Barry Rawlings, has welcomed the Government’s announcement yesterday to award £29.5m of Levelling Up funding for the redevelopment of Colindale Tube station. Colindale is one of London’s most deprived areas and the redevelopment of the Tube station will be central to enabling the building
HS2 minister Huw Merriman today became the first person to officially walk on top of the UK’s longest railway bridge, which is under construction at an HS2 site just outside London. The first 480m of the Colne Valley Viaduct – which will eventually stretch for more than two miles (3.4km)
Construction work to develop a new railway station in Butetown and to redevelop Cardiff Bay station as part of the biggest upgrade to public transport in the area for a generation will soon begin. In the summer of 2022, Transport for Wales (TfW) confirmed plans to build a new two-platform
Harlow Council has approved plans to redevelop the town centre’s bus station and Terminus Street area. The proposals, which form part of Harlow Council’s town centre regeneration plans, were approved by the council’s Development Management Committee. The overhaul will be made possible thanks to government support secured by the council
HS2 Ltd recently celebrated a world-first as around 450 people from HS2’s construction contractor in the Midlands – Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) – slid a 12,600 tonne bridge a record 165 metres to position it across the M42 motorway in Warwickshire. The site team worked around the clock to move
Mace has been appointed to several major projects for Associated British Ports (ABP). It has been appointed through ABP’s Group Professional Services Framework and will provide a range of services, including project management, cost and commercial advisory, project support and site supervision. The consultancy arm of the business has won work on a number of professional services contracts for schemes across ABP, including at the ports of Immingham, Southampton, Lowestoft and Plymouth, as well as a further project in Newport in Wales. “It’s been an exciting time for our ports team, with these latest wins marking a sizeable expansion in our portfolio. Our team will combine their practical delivery experience in the transportation sector with localised knowledge to provide fresh thinking to deliver the projects successfully. We are looking forward to playing our part in delivering these projects which will leave a lasting positive legacy for their users and wider communities,” said Sean Gray, Director of Transportation, Mace. Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro (roll-on roll-off) terminal in North East Lincolnshire is a major project involving the construction of a new Ro-Ro facility within the eastern side of the port, which will include the creation of two new harbour berths. On this project, which is set to complete in 2025, Mace will provide contract administration, cost management and scheduling services. Once complete, the works will allow increase capacity between the UK’s east coast and continental Europe, predominantly for the freight market, giving more options and supply chain resilience for British businesses. The Port of Southampton project focuses on the expansion of the existing container-to-rail facility in the Western Docks, taking more trucks off the road, reducing emissions and improving air quality. The project will involve an expansion of the existing rail terminal at the dock alongside extending the existing rail loading platform. The finished project will include new access points for HGVs and new site offices at one of the UK’s largest ports. Here Mace’s work will include project management, scheduling, cost management, contract administration and site supervision. Mace’s work at the Port of Lowestoft, otherwise known as the LEEF (Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility) project, will focus on the redevelopment of the Suffolk port’s Outer Harbour. This redevelopment will support offshore windfarms by providing an additional three service operation vessel berths and six crew transfer vessel berths, alongside six acres of land to support the operations and maintenance stages servicing the offshore energy industry. The project positions Lowestoft as a key hub for handling larger, greener vessels together with growing more good jobs. On this project, Mace will provide contract administration, cost management and scheduling services. Additionally, the win on Millbay Ferry terminal in Plymouth will involve delivering a RIBA Stage 3 developed design for the terminal facilities, with upgrades agreed to improve the older existing infrastructure. Mace will provide contract administration, cost management and scheduling services to provide new facilities, aimed to improve the experience of the terminal’s users. The project at Millbay includes creating a new passenger boarding bridge system to connect vessels with the terminal building, updating the existing Ro-Ro ramp and refurbishing part of the historic West Wharf to support ferry operation activities. The upgrades will have a significant impact as part of wider plans to make the facility a key strategic port and cruise terminal with the ability to handle more international freight. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2’s plans for the Balsall Common Viaduct in Warwickshire, recently submitted to Solihull Council, incorporate local feedback focussing on environmental sustainability, landscape integration, visual connectivity and public access. HS2’s main works contractor, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), supported by a Design Joint Venture of Mott MacDonald and Systra together with architects Weston Williamson + Partners, have engaged with people in the local area over the last year to gather feedback on the viaduct – a 425-metre-long section of the UK’s new zero-carbon high speed rail line. Understanding the landscape context was a key focus of the design, allowing the team to create a viaduct that ‘reflects and reveals’ itself within the landscape. Planting and species selection was another key focus, with the plans now including wet woodland planting using native species to the local area; mixed native woodland plants such as midland hawthorn and black poplar, two notable local species; woodland edge planting to provide screening; and hedgerow planting to improve wildlife connections. Reflecting the historic local growing of flax for weaving into linen, an alternative grass species mix will incorporate blue flowered plants including blue flax, cornflower and forget-me-nots. Bird boxes will be added in the trees in various locations to serve common bird species such as robin, blue tit and great tit. A realignment of Bayleys Brook will increase habitat for fish, aquatic invertebrates and potentially water vole. Design changes have also reduced the size of the railway embankment running parallel to Bayleys Brook by 75 metres, improving the resiliency of the area to flooding, and enhancing views through the viaduct to the wider landscape. To improve connections, the Kenilworth Greenway will be extended to Station Road on the south-eastern side of the existing railway line and a further extension towards Lavender Hall is currently under consideration. Options for cycling and bridleway extensions are also being considered. HS2 Ltd’s Senior Project Manager for Balsall Common, Alan Payne said: “Over the last couple of years, we’ve worked closely with the community and local councillors to incorporate their feedback on Balsall Common Viaduct as much as possible. We’re confident that our plans respect and enhance the local history and natural environment of the area, and will provide new green areas for people and wildlife to enjoy. “The HS2 project supports nearly 30,000 jobs – of which nearly 9,000 are employed in the West Midlands, with local businesses across the region benefitting from supply chain contracts. Once complete, HS2 will transform journeys across the UK, help boost the economy and provide extra capacity on the existing rail network.” Shaun Ruffles, Landscape Architecture Director from HS2’s Design Joint Venture said: “The team have worked hard over the past 4 years to significantly improve on the hybrid Bill design to ensure that the environment and people using the area are at the heart of the design. “The finalised design for the Balsall Common Viaduct has been driven by its context and responds directly to it. The concept of ‘reflect and reveal’ has been key to this, with views of the viaduct revealed and filtered by the mature oak trees in the wider historic landscape. The viaduct is further integrated through its reflection in local water features and in the polished acoustic parapets which will reflect the skyline, lightening the structure further.” BBV will construct a total of 16 piers to carry the viaduct 10m above ground, crossing over Station Road, Bayleys Brook, Heart of England Way Walk and the local floodplain. Construction refinements have reduced the size of each pier by as much as 17% for single piers and 28% for double piers, giving the structure a lighter appearance. Responding to feedback about the look of the viaduct, a section at Station Road will be finished with a bespoke pattern, referencing the local history of the area. People can register to attend an event on Thursday 16 February at Balsall Common Village Hall to view the latest plans and talk to the team: www.hs2.org.uk/balsall-common Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2 has revealed images of a big construction milestone in Birmingham city centre, with the completion of the first giant V-shaped pier for the 300 metres long viaduct that will bring high speed trains into the new Curzon Street Station. The five-metre-tall structure is the first pier to be installed for the ‘Curzon No. 3 Viaduct’, which will be the final approach to HS2’s new seven platform station in the city centre. In total, 30 piers will be installed for this viaduct, with heights varying between five and six metres above ground level. This includes four steel tripod piers erected to span over the Digbeth Branch Canal. To cut carbon, a steel industry by-product – ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) has been incorporated into the pier’s manufacturing as an eco-friendly concrete alternative to a traditional concrete mix. Also known as slag sand, GGBS will reduce the embedded carbon of the piers by more than 60%, while ensuring the structure will remain operational for over 120 years. HS2’s Senior Project Manager for Curzon Street, David King said: “It’s fantastic to see this first viaduct pier complete on the Curzon Street site, which starts to bring the design vision for this iconic structure to life. Construction on this site is supporting hundreds of skilled jobs in the region, and once built, Curzon Street Station will put Birmingham at the heart of the new zero-carbon high speed network. “We’re also pleased to see eco-friendly materials being used in the construction method, supporting HS2’s ambition to cut carbon across the project.” Over the last year, HS2’s main works contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) have been carrying out foundation works on site to prepare for the installation of the piers, with the deepest pile reaching 34 metres below ground. The pier was built in two segments, starting with a stem pour which links the viaduct foundation with the V-shaped part of the pier. The construction team then lifted the prefabricated steel cage above the stem and installed steel panels around the cage. Concrete was poured into the formwork and left to cure for one week before removal of the panels, forming the pier’s V shape. Each pier will take up to 4 weeks to be fully installed on site, with the tallest pier reaching up to 6m above the ground. After the piers are in place, teams will begin to form the deck spans connecting the piers using system falsework and formwork with the longest span between each pier stretching over 28 metres across the site. Georgios Markakis, Balfour Beatty VINCI’s Section Manager said: “The progress we’re making at our Curzon Street site is clear to see, following the completion of the first viaduct pier. It’s a really proud moment for the team and everyone who’s helped to prepare the site over the last couple of years. “This is just the beginning of a rolling programme, where 30 piers in total will be installed, before the decks are put in place later this year – then the viaduct will really start to take shape.” Curzon No.3 Viaduct is 65 metres at the widest point, and as it approaches the station, the deck widens from a single deck at the eastern end to four separate decks at the western end, creating opportunities for a usable, flexible public space with maximised daylight under the viaduct. The viaducts were designed through a Design Joint Venture of Mott MacDonald and Systra and Architects Weston Williamson + Partners, all working for BBV. Curzon Viaduct No.3 is part of the Curzon Street Station Approach area, which is made up of five connected viaducts between Duddeston Junction Viaduct and Curzon Street Station in central Birmingham. Nearly 30,000 people are helping to build HS2, of which nearly 9,000 are employed in the West Midlands. When contractor Mace Dragados signed the contract to build HS2’s Curzon Street Station, they confirmed that over 1,000 jobs – including an estimated 100 new entrant roles and 100 new apprenticeship positions – will be created by the joint venture that will build HS2’s landmark station. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The last of 292 concrete piles that will form the foundations for the UK’s longest railway bridge were installed this week at the site of HS2’s Colne Valley Viaduct, marking a successful end to the first phase of the record-breaking project. Once complete, the 2.1 miles (3.4km) bridge will carry the new high-speed rail line across a series of lakes and waterways near Hillingdon on the north-west outskirts of London. The construction of the foundations, the 56 huge piers and the deck on top, have all been happening in parallel – with separate teams working from north to south. Deck assembly began last year, with more than 500 meters of the viaduct structure now complete. In order to deliver the 66 piles in the lakebed, the team first had to construct over a kilometer of temporary jetties, with cofferdams to hold back the water around each set of foundations. The jetties are also used to transport materials and equipment during the construction of the piers and viaduct deck, keeping vehicles off local roads. Construction of the HS2 project – which is designed to improve rail links between London, Birmingham and North, help level-up the economy and provide a low carbon alternative to car and air travel – is ramping up across the UK with almost 30,000 jobs now supported by the project. HS2 Ltd’s Project Client, David Emms said: “Once complete, HS2 will transform journeys across the UK, help to boost the economy and support the UK’s transition to net zero. “The completion of the piling for the Colne Valley Viaduct is a major achievement for our whole team and marks the end of almost two years of hard work. With pier construction and deck assembly also well underway, the viaduct is fast becoming one of the most impressive and recognisable parts of the project.” The viaduct is being built by HS2 Ltd’s main works contractor Align JV – a team made up of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick, working with its contractor KVJV– who spent almost two years on the piling. KVJV is a team made up of Keller Group and VSL International. On top of each group of piles – some of which are to a depth of 60m into the ground – a concrete pile cap will support the pier which will in turn support the weight of the bridge structure above. Instead of hammering the piles into the ground, holes were bored before being backfilled to create the piles. The main deck of the viaduct is being built in 1,000 separate segments at a temporary factory nearby and assembled using a bridge-building machine which lifts each piece into position before shifting itself forward to the next pier. Align’s Surface Operations Director, Derek van Rensburg said: “Completing the piling is a great achievement for both Align and the team at KVJV, working over the lakes and waterways across the Colne Valley. We were able to complete the piling with no significant impact on the environment, a great result for the whole team.” Set low into the landscape, the widest spans reserved for where the viaduct crosses the lakes, and narrower spans for the approaches. This design was chosen to enable views across the landscape, minimise the viaduct’s footprint on the lakes and help complement the natural surroundings. The design was inspired by the flight of a stone skipping across the water, with a series of elegant spans, some up to 80m long, carrying the railway around 10m above the surface of the lakes, River Colne and Grand Union Canal. HS2 worked closely with Affinity Water and the Environment Agency to monitor water quality and agree working methods. These were monitored by a team of specialist engineers during construction in order to protect the natural environment. Before work began, an extensive programme of test piling was completed with engineers sinking 12 piles at two locations with geological and structural data from these tests fed back into the design of the viaduct. This resulted in a 10-15% reduction in the depth of the piles and associated time and cost savings. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MAG (Manchester Airports Group) today revealed the green light for a £440m of investment in Manchester Airport, creating thousands of jobs and unlocking billions of pounds of economic value for the North over the next decade. The investment will transform the passenger experience at the UK’s third largest airport, with new spacious facilities, state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and an exciting array of shops, bars, restaurants and airport lounges. It is the final phase of the £1.3bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP), first announced in 2015 with a 10-year vision to revolutionise the customer experience at the Northern hub and unlock the potential of its two full-length runways. The first phase saw Terminal 2 more than double in size, with the new facility having received positive feedback from passengers and airlines since opening in July 2021. Phase two will double the size of the existing departure lounge, with a wider selection of shops and food and drink outlets, showcasing the best of what the North has to offer. It will also involve the construction of an additional security hall, fitted with next-generation security scanners. Mace has been appointed to support MAG with the overall Programme Integration, management and Construction Managers, for overseeing two key elements of the programme – the redevelopment of Terminal 2 and the construction of a new pier, matching the look and feel of the first pier that opened in 2019 and creating extra capacity for aircraft. Jacobs will be the Principle Designer for Airfield works, delivering a new dual taxiway system to improve airfield efficiency, with flexible aircraft stands. Vanderlande has been appointed as Principle Contractor for the Baggage systems. The terminal’s new hold baggage system will be able to handle over 5,000 bags per hour, more than doubling its current capacity, with two new teardrop check in islands. Other key appointments include; Paul Willis, Chief Development Officer, Manchester Airport Group, said: “The second phase of the Manchester Airport Transformation Programme represents the concluding chapter of the most ambitious expansion project in the history of the airport, and in turn signifies a huge milestone for our city, the North and also the wider recovery of the travel industry. “We are looking forward to working with Mace and all our partners to create a world-class facility that will provide not only regional connections, but also improved global connectivity. “Their skills and experience will align perfectly with the significant expertise we have within the MAG team, and we look forward to bringing this project to life for the benefit of all our colleagues, passengers and commercial partners.” The expanded Terminal 2 has already welcomed a number of new airlines to Manchester, and seen the launch or relaunch of a string of key routes. Examples include a brand-new service to Kuwait, a revived service to Beijing and a first UK Transatlantic base for AerLingus. This latest investment will complete the transformation of Terminal 2, delivering improvement to all stages of the passenger journey – from check-in to baggage reclaims – as well as upgrading its airfield to cater for next generation aircraft. More than 500 jobs will be created in the construction phase alone, while independent analysis shows around 16,400 extra jobs will be generated by 2040 as a result of the economic activity stimulated by the expansion of the airport and its route network. Mace will also engage 1,500 young people across Greater Manchester, aim to raise £70,000 for local charities and donate 500 hours of employee volunteering time. Mace and its supply chain partners are also targeting that at least 5% of the workforce should be apprentices for the duration of the project. Over £1.3m in social value has already been created to date. Jason Millett, Chief Executive Officer, Mace Consult, said: “It’s fantastic to be delivering a project which will have such a significant impact on levelling-up the UK through job creation and enhanced connectivity. Through our partnership with Manchester Airport and local stakeholders, we will create vital infrastructure for passengers. “Helping to deliver on our vision for growth, our experienced project and programme consultants will bring their extensive aviation expertise and regional knowledge to apply fresh thinking to our approach. In turn, we aim to continue supporting the aviation sector’s path to recovery post-pandemic.” Further information, images and CGIs of the transformation programme’s second phase will be released in the coming months. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Leader of Barnet Council, Cllr Barry Rawlings, has welcomed the Government’s announcement yesterday to award £29.5m of Levelling Up funding for the redevelopment of Colindale Tube station. Colindale is one of London’s most deprived areas and the redevelopment of the Tube station will be central to enabling the building of 11,400 quality new homes for locals. Since 2011, Colindale’s population has grown by 70%, making the area around the station the second-fastest growing ward in London after the Stratford Olympic Park in Newham. In its current state, the 1960s built station will reach passenger capacity by 2026. The redevelopment will increase the number of people the station can cope with and create step-free access, which will speed up journey times. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt used his Autumn Statement to reference the £2.1bn Levelling Up Fund earmarked for priority local infrastructure projects. The Colindale station bid has been led by the Greater London Authority and has received broad cross-party support. Cllr Barry Rawlings said it will benefit tens of thousands of people: “The awarding of the £29.5m Levelling Up funding is a welcome New Year present for those living at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis. The Colindale Tube station redevelopment scheme is precisely the kind of project Levelling Up should support, supporting house building and spreading opportunity for so many living in one of the capital’s most deprived areas. Better transport links means better jobs and better pay.” Lucinda Turner, Assistant Director of Planning at the GLA and Director of Spatial Planning at TfL, said: “Making our transport network more accessible and inclusive is a top priority, as we know that a more accessible public transport network benefits everyone. These schemes are also key to supporting sustainable growth in these areas and help unlock the delivery of thousands of new homes. “We’re delighted that, by working hand in hand with the boroughs, the joint bid with City Hall to fund making Colindale and Leyton Tube stations step-free has been successful. We look forward to working with the Government and local boroughs on these projects, as well as other successful bids in London that will enable increased walking, cycling and public transport.” Barnet Council is now working with TfL to ensure that construction on the station improvements can begin as quickly as possible this year.
HS2 minister Huw Merriman today became the first person to officially walk on top of the UK’s longest railway bridge, which is under construction at an HS2 site just outside London. The first 480m of the Colne Valley Viaduct – which will eventually stretch for more than two miles (3.4km) across a series of lakes and waterways outside Hillingdon – have been built over the last seven months using an enormous 700 tonne ‘bridge-building machine’. Construction of the HS2 project, which is designed to improve rail links between London, Birmingham and the North, help level-up the economy and provide a low carbon alternative to car and air travel, is ramping up across the UK with almost 30,000 jobs now supported by the project. Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “This is an extraordinary feat of engineering and architecture, designed to enable spectacular views across a beautiful part of our British countryside which is being preserved and protected by this project. “It was incredible to be the first person to officially walk on top of it today – another milestone for this monumental project which will transform journeys for people up and down the country, creating almost 30,000 jobs and providing a low carbon alternative to cars for decades to come.” Known as a ‘launching girder’, the 160m long bridge-building machine is the only one of its kind operating in the UK and is used to lift the giant concrete deck segments that form the viaduct’s arches into position. Once each section is complete, the machine inches itself forward to build the next stage. The first 141 – out of a thousand – deck segments are now in position, with each one weighing up to 140 tonnes. To allow for the gentle curves of the viaduct as it crosses the valley, all the segments are slightly different shapes and made on site at a purpose-built temporary factory close to the north abutment. Welcoming the milestone, HS2 Ltd Project Client David Emms said: “After seven months of hard work, it’s great to be able to finally be able to walk on part of the Colne Valley Viaduct. Once complete, this record-breaking structure will form a key part of the HS2 route – helping to deliver better connections across the UK, free up rail capacity on the existing train network, and offer passengers zero carbon travel options. “I’d like to thank all those involved in getting us to this exciting stage and look forward to seeing the whole viaduct come together over the coming years.” The huge viaduct project is being led by HS2’s main works contractor Align JV – a team made up of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerFitzpatrick. Originally built in 2004, the launching girder was first used during the construction of the Hong Kong East Tsing Yi Viaduct. Specially designed to handle complex viaduct construction, the machine is named ‘Dominique’ in memory of Bouygues engineer Dominique Droniou who played a leading role in its design and development. Align Project Director, Daniel Altier, said: “The team at Align, along with supply-chain partners VSL, Kilnbridge, KVJV, VolkerStevin, Tarmac, Sendin andVaughan Plant Haulage, have worked incredibly hard to get us to this point. They have demonstrated exceptional teamwork and expertise and I’m incredibly proud of what they have achieved so far. In particular, the successful completion of the A412 crossing which involved collaboration with multiple stakeholders to minimise disruption to our local community.” 56 piers each weighing around 370 tonnes are being constructed along the Colne Valley ahead of the girder, with the machine moving from one pier to the next, installing the deck segments as it goes. Segments are placed alternately on each side of the pier, using a cantilever approach to balance the structure, as two half-arches are constructed simultaneously. Steel tensioning cables are then threaded through the segments to strengthen the bridge. The viaduct pre-cast factory where the one thousand segments are made uses a ‘match-casting’ technique. This approach – where each segment is poured against the previous one – will ensure the whole deck fits perfectly when assembled on the piers. Up to 12 segments a week can be cast at the mammoth 100m long factory, which has an internal volume of 105,000 cubic metres – making it larger than the Royal Albert Hall. Once construction is complete, the factory and surrounding buildings will be removed and the whole area between the viaduct and the Chiltern tunnel will be transformed into an area of chalk grassland and woodland as part of HS2’s ‘green corridor’ project. The design of the Colne Valley Viaduct was inspired by the flight of a stone skipping across the water, with a series of elegant spans, some up to 80m long, carrying the railway around 10m above the surface of the lakes, River Colne and Grand Union Canal. Set low into the landscape, wider spans will carry the viaduct crosses the lakes, with narrower spans for the approaches. This design was chosen to enable views across the landscape, minimise the viaduct’s footprint on the lakes and help complement views across the natural surroundings. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction work to develop a new railway station in Butetown and to redevelop Cardiff Bay station as part of the biggest upgrade to public transport in the area for a generation will soon begin. In the summer of 2022, Transport for Wales (TfW) confirmed plans to build a new two-platform station in the north of Butetown. The existing Cardiff Bay station will also be enhanced, as well as getting new signage, customer information screens and other improvements. Cardiff Bay station will remain open for passengers while the work is taking place. Installation of a new track will allow faster and more frequent services using brand new tram-trains, enabling a new timetable to be introduced from 2024. “The Bay Line transformation project is an important part of the South Wales Metro and we’re delighted to be able to begin construction work on the brand-new station in Butetown, as well as important upgrades to Cardiff Bay station. From 2024 we’ll be providing a smoother, greener, modern public transport service which will open up a range of opportunities for people living in Butetown and the wider Cardiff Bay area,” said James Price, TfW Chief Executive Officer. “We’re keen to continue working collaboratively with local residents through workshops and drop-in sessions, where people will be able to get more information and ask questions about the Bay Line transformation,” he added. The plans are to fit with a wider collaborative vision, working alongside Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government. The work will explore potential options for future transport routes between Cardiff Central and Newport Road, via the Cardiff Bay line and Porth Teigr subject to funding being secured. A seven-week consultation was launched on 12 December to collect feedback from the public, the findings of which will inform the project’s outline business case. Members of the public can find out more and take part in the consultation by visiting the Community and Stakeholder Engagement page on the TfW website. Cardiff Bay residents living close to the railway line have been contacted with details of the construction and engineering work taking place in the area which is needed to deliver the Core Valleys Lines (CVL) programme, at the heart of the development of South Wales Metro. The build of a construction compound on Lloyd George Avenue will begin this month, with the works on the track starting from early 2023. TfW will soon be preparing for the installation of a construction compound on the trackside of Lloyd George Avenue to manage its work and provide welfare facilities for workers. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Harlow Council has approved plans to redevelop the town centre’s bus station and Terminus Street area. The proposals, which form part of Harlow Council’s town centre regeneration plans, were approved by the council’s Development Management Committee. The overhaul will be made possible thanks to government support secured by the council as part of its successful £23.7m Towns Fund bid. The planning permission makes way to develop a new transport hub and interchange for Harlow bus station services, as well as a cycle hub and dramatic improvements to the area’s public realm amenities and landscaping. Works, which are due to start in the coming months, will deliver: • The entire redevelopment of the bus station and Terminus Street • A new single-storey transport hub to the north of the site, with green space and a canopy covered waiting area • A cycle hub to the south with storage space for up to 80 cycles • Flexible events space • A new exit for buses from Terminus Street onto Crown Gate • Transformation of Terminus Street • The removal of the bridge connecting East Walk and Terminus House • A new entry area to Terminus House, with a lift to serve the first and second floors • Works to the existing Terminus House bin store. The development will support both existing public transport routes and proposed sustainable transport corridor routes, which will promote walking and cycling, as part of the development of Harlow and Gilston Garden Town. The inclusion of green areas and an events space will also help to transform the overall character of the area and create a welcoming environment. “This is another major step forward for the regeneration of the town centre following the recent purchases of Occasio House and the Harvey Centre, the £46 million investment from Strawberry Star and the many other plans that are coming into fruition – all in line with our Town Centre Masterplan,” said Councillor Dan Swords, Deputy Leader of the Council. “This transformation of Terminus Street and the entire rebuilding of the bus station area will completely overhaul a run-down part of the town centre into a welcoming gateway into Harlow’s new town centre. The new transport hub will allow for sustainable transport and cycling and will be built to the highest quality, with fantastic landscaping, public realm and build quality. This has all been made possible by the £23.7 million Towns Fund investment from the government which will also transform Broad Walk too – seamlessly connecting the new gateway into the town centre with the high street. “This is truly a historic moment for our town as the regeneration of the town centre motors on with construction work starting shortly. We are delivering on the council’s commitment to entirely rebuild our town centre and to restore pride in our town. We are also continuing our work with all our other regeneration priorities for the town, like building new council homes, repairing existing council homes and restoring pride in the town,” he added. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2 Ltd recently celebrated a world-first as around 450 people from HS2’s construction contractor in the Midlands – Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) – slid a 12,600 tonne bridge a record 165 metres to position it across the M42 motorway in Warwickshire. The site team worked around the clock to move HS2’s Marston Box bridge into place over the M42 during the Christmas period. The dramatic operation took 40 hours, at a speed of 4 metres per hour, from Saturday 24 to Monday 26 December during a 10-day closure of the motorway between Junctions J9 and J10 (northbound and southbound). The motorway is on schedule to reopen at 0500 on Tuesday, 3 January 2023. Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “This is yet another astonishing achievement by HS2 – a project which is already changing lives through employment and regeneration, and will completely transform the way we live and work once trains hit the tracks. “Thank you to the 450 people working over the Christmas period on this incredible operation, who are playing their part in bringing this pioneering project to life. What a way to end the year.” HS2 Ltd’s Civils Delivery Director, Mike Lyons said: “This is the first box slide of its kind over a motorway in the UK, and we believe it’s also the world’s longest slide, so it’s a great achievement for HS2 as we quickly approach peak construction. It’s fantastic to celebrate another big milestone for a project that is already providing work for almost 30,000 people today, and in the future, it will encourage people to use zero carbon public transport.” Over the last six months, the giant 86 metre-long structure was built on land next to the motorway. The structure, developed by a Design Joint Venture of Mott MacDonald and Systra, working on behalf of BBV, has a base, three walls and top slab. The sliding mechanism, designed by specialist civil and structural engineering company Freyssinet, allowed the box to be pushed into place over the motorway on a guiding raft over a distance of 163 metres – which is believed to be the world’s longest box slide. On completion, the whole structure will be around 190 metres in length, and will carry HS2 over the motorway as it heads north to Crewe, or on its southward journey as it loops into Birmingham Curzon Street or continues straight on to Interchange Station in Solihull, Old Oak Common Station and London Euston. Once built, the railway bridge will connect to Dunton Wood Embankment to the south and the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal Viaduct, which crosses the heritage canal, to the north. This construction method, which allowed it to be moved into place in one movement meant only two one-week closures of the motorway over a 12-month period, dramatically reducing disruption for road users. Sasan Ghavami, Balfour Beatty VINCI’s Construction Director for the project said: “We’re extremely proud to have successfully delivered the world’s longest box slide. It’s a huge achievement for our project team and everyone connected with Balfour Beatty VINCI. “We’ve used innovative construction techniques and worked tirelessly throughout the Christmas period to move this 12,600 tonne bridge over the M42 motorway – all done with the aim of keeping disruption to an absolute minimum.” The box slide operation is part of HS2’s 550,000 square metre site at Kingsbury, where over 1,000 people are currently working. Around 6,800 people are already employed in HS2’s construction in the West Midlands, with thousands more jobs supported through the wider supply chain. HS2 and its contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) has worked in partnership with National Highways to deliver this intricate operation. National Highways Senior Network Planner, Frank Bird said: “We’d like to say a big thank-you to motorists for their patience during the closure of the M42. It’s never easy to close a busy motorway such as the M42 for an extended period of time but it has been vital to ensure the safety of the workforce and motorists while this work is taking place. “We’ve been working collaboratively with HS2 for the past 18 months to ensure the operation ran smoothly and to help keep disruption to a minimum for drivers. The installation of the new Marston Box bridge is a significant milestone in the HS2 project and it’s great to see it finally in place.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
