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

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

Island Line will fully reopen between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin on Friday 2 May, in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend, following an intensive and complex programme of work to repair and refurbish Ryde Pier. The line between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde Pier Head has been closed since 6 September 2024 while Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR) engineers have worked tirelessly to repair and preserve the historic Ryde Pier structure. Upgrades will make the pier and railway line more resilient to extreme weather, ensuring that services can continue to run safely and reliably for generations to come. Prior to the full reopening on Friday 2 May, the entire line from Shanklin to Ryde Pier Head will close from Saturday 26 April to allow engineers to complete final preparations for the resumption of services. During these six days, replacement buses will operate instead of trains. The works will include: Following this work, the line will reopen at the start of service on Friday 2 May, four days earlier than originally planned. The first service will depart Ryde St Johns at 05:23 and arrive at Ryde Pier Head at 05:29. The first train from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin will depart at 06:03. Engineers will return to the line later this year to complete additional upgrades, replacing the rail between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns Road as well as the footbridge at Ryde St Johns Road. Further details about these upgrades will be announced in due course. George Murrell, Network Rail Wessex route renewals director, said: “I’m delighted that we’re going to be able to fully reopen the Island Line early and in time for the May Bank Holiday, which we know is a busy and important time for the Island’s tourism industry. “We’re now on the home stretch of this work and while I know it will be disappointing, we will need to close the line for the week preceding the resumption of services to finish the final pieces of work, safety checks and prepare the railway for the first service early on Friday 2 May. “I’d like to again thank passengers, residents and businesses on the Island Line for their patience and understanding while we’ve undertaken this programme of critical repairs and upgrades. “We look forward to the resumption of services on 2 May.” Mark Dunn, Island Line general manager, said: “Fully reopening Island Line on Friday 2 May, ahead of schedule and in time for the early May bank holiday, is fantastic news for customers and the Isle of Wight, particularly as we enter the busy tourism season. “The early reopening is due to the brilliant efforts of SWR and Network Rail colleagues, who have worked extremely hard since last September to make necessary repairs to Ryde Pier. “These repairs allow us to resume services from Ryde Pier Head station all the way through to Shanklin and will preserve the historic pier for many years to come. “We’re extremely grateful to our customers and Islanders for their patience while these important works were completed and look forward to welcoming them back for the full service soon.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

As cities are growing larger and with more cars on the roads than ever, the demand for better infrastructure increases. Roads and bridges are essential for our communities. They give us safe ways to do things like travel, daily commuting, and trade. The construction industry needs modern equipment to keep the community’s road infrastructure up to demand. Today’s machinery improves how quickly and precisely projects can be completed while improving the road’s sustainability. The Role of Construction Equipment in Infrastructure Development Infrastructure projects rely heavily on the efficiency and reliability of construction equipment. Machines like mini excavators, compact track loaders, and bulldozers are important in handling material, paving, and earth moving in road construction. They are able to handle different terrains and improve productivity. Mini excavators are great for bridge and roadwork as they fit in tight spaces while having strong power and accuracy in grading. This makes a mini excavator ideal in improving road infrastructure Ensuring efficiency in construction equipment is using high-quality parts and rubber-tracked equipment that provide stability and traction on various surfaces. Kubota, a leading brand in mini excavators and skid loaders can be recognized on many road infrastructure jobsites. Equipping these machines with good quality Kubota tracks improves traction and durability across all terrains. These machines can use many different attachments, which makes their skid steers and mini excavators very useful on any job site. Advancements in Road & Bridge Construction Machinery The construction industry has made great strides in technology that improve how we build. New tools like automation, GPS-guided machinery, and AI systems are changing the way we construct roads and bridges. For example, GPS-enabled grading systems help workers accurately level and excavate, which reduces waste and human error. Fuel- efficient and hybrid machines are also starting to be designed. These will lower emissions created by the construction equipment industry. Hybrid motors can cut costs by saving money in fuel usage. Smart telematics and remote monitoring systems give real-time data on equipment performance. This data can show where improvement and efficiency can improve on the site. The monitoring systems are also used for letting you know when maintenance is due; by keeping your equipment well maintained will reduce downtime. Together, these systems will boost productivity and safety with equipment and help keep road infrastructure within budget. Sustainability and the Future of Infrastructure Equipment The push for sustainability is changing the construction industry, including the machinery used for building infrastructure. Governments and industry leaders are promoting greener options to lower carbon emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Hybrid and electric construction equipment is becoming an eco-friendly alternative to traditional diesel-powered machinery. These machines create less pollution, make less noise, and use energy more efficiently. Manufacturers are also using biodegradable hydraulic fluids, recycled materials, and new design methods to make construction equipment better for the environment. By using sustainable practices and energy-efficient machines, infrastructure development is becoming more responsible and ready for the future, achieving economic and environmental goals. Challenges & Solutions in Modern Infrastructure Projects The construction industry faces many challenges in road construction, even with today’s technology. Challenges like the shortage of skilled workers, tight budgets, and never-ending regulatory compliances make it difficult. There is a strong demand for skilled road workers, but the workforce is not growing enough to keep up with the demand for infrastructure. Government budget caps can force worksite projects to choose cheaper solutions or contractors, which can affect the quality of the completed jobs. Having to keep up with regulations that are constantly changing can be difficult, but if not, it can result in fines or lead to a pause of the project. To help with these issues, training programs, and automation are helping workers gain the skills needed to operate modern equipment. New equipment with easy-to-use controls and automation lowers the learning curve needed for new operators and keeps productivity levels up. This shows that automation can help the construction industry challenges of the industries shortage of skilled labor. Rising costs for materials and equipment maintenance require companies to find cost effective solutions. Using high quality aftermarket parts for compact construction equipment, keeps your machines durable and efficient while keeping operation costs under control and minimizing downtime. Conclusion Investing in the right construction equipment is essential for building the roads and bridges we depend on. The need for new and improved infrastructures keeps increasing, and we must ensure they are efficient and sustainable. By choosing innovative solutions and high-quality machinery, we can make a lasting difference and help our communities thrive.

The construction of a bridge that will allow high speed trains to pass under the busy A43 near Brackley has taken a major step forward with the structure’s enormous steel beams lifted into position during a series of three weekend closures. The A43 – which links Oxford, Brackley and Northampton – is a vital route, providing access to Silverstone and connections between the M40 and M1. It was reopened just before midnight on Saturday night after the last of three weekend road closures. Preparation for the work began in 2023 when HS2 engineers, working closely with National Highways, realigned the road to create an ‘island’ between the two carriageways big enough for the construction of the new bridge deck. Using a ‘top-down’ approach, they sank 52m deep piled foundations and then built the pile caps and piers that will support the 66-metre-long bridge deck carrying the road. This weekend, they lifted the last parts of the seven steel beams that will support the bridge deck using a 750-tonne crane. With the beams now in position, the team will focus on the concrete deck and parapets. Once the bridge has been built, the road will be moved back onto the new bridge and excavation can begin to create space for the railway to pass underneath. This multi-stage approach was designed to keep traffic flowing and disruption to a minimum. HS2 Ltd’s Senior Project Manager Elizabeth Longinotti said: “The A43 is a busy route between Brackley and Northampton and I’d like to thank drivers for their patience over the last three weekends, allowing us to safely lift the enormous steel beams into position while the road was closed. “With the beams now in place, we can focus on the next part of this complex multi-stage project – pouring the concrete deck ready for the road to be moved onto the new bridge early next year.” National Highways Route Manager, Bill Freeman, said: “This is an enormous project which will inevitably impact on people using our roads but we have worked very hard for a long time now to keep that disruption to a minimum. “For a number of years we have been liaising with HS2 and their partners to develop a plan which would reduce the disturbance to road users during the construction of this huge structure. “We have also taken advantage of the road closures to expedite our own works improving drainage and repairing the slope along the A43, between Brackley and Syresham, reducing the need for further disruption.” The 80km stretch of railway that passes Brackley – including the A43 bridge – is being delivered by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB, a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall working with ASC (a joint venture between Arcadis, Setec and COWI). They worked with National Highways and EKFS’s sub-contractor, Kier Transportation, to construct the temporary realignment, to keep traffic flowing during the work. EKFB Deputy Project Director Timothée Scherer, said: “The successful execution of the beam lift represents a crucial milestone in our project. This accomplishment underscores the diligent efforts and unwavering commitment of our team, who have meticulously worked to ensure the safe and efficient installation of the beams. This progress brings us significantly closer to the realisation of this essential infrastructure project, which is destined to substantially enhance regional connectivity and transportation”. Tim Boardman, Senior Project Manager at Kier Transportation, added: “It’s fantastic to see the beam lift take effect, and we’re now starting to see the bridge really take shape. Putting this solution into place has required a huge amount of expertise and collaboration with our partners, and we’re proud of the impact it will have. We look forward to moving onto the next stages of the project, while continuing to work hard to minimise disruption for road users and the local community.” The last few weeks have also seen significant progress for the nearby Turweston viaduct near Brackley, with the 80m long deck beam now slid fully into position. The 591-tonne steel structure was assembled to one side and slid out on special pads covered in PTFE – a Teflon-like material usually found on the surface of a non-stick frying pan – used to minimise friction between the deck and the temporary steel bearings on top of each of the piers. Turweston is one of five viaducts on the project which use an innovative ‘double composite’ structure, with layers of reinforced concrete on the top and bottom to create a much more structurally efficient box-like span which dramatically cuts the amount of embedded carbon in the design. In total there are more than 500 bridging structures on the HS2 project – which is designed to improve connections between London, Birmingham and the North while freeing up space for more local trains on the most congested southern end of the existing West Coast Main Line into London Euston. These range from small footbridges and underpasses, to innovative ‘green bridges’ designed to help wildlife cross the railway, massive motorway bridges and the record-breaking Colne Valley viaduct. The last few months has also seen significant progress at HS2’s other major viaducts, with the first completed viaduct deck at the complex Delta Junction outside Birmingham and the Small Dean and Wendover Dean deck slides in Buckinghamshire. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, was joined by stakeholders from South Derbyshire District Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council and Staffordshire County Council to celebrate the start of work on the new bypass and road bridge in Walton-on-Trent. Phil McHugh Divisional Director of Vistry North West Midlands, said: “I want to extend a big thank you to the four local authorities, Environment Agency and numerous other stakeholders who have been instrumental in getting us to this important milestone. The new Walton bridge will provide much improved transport links across the River Trent for both current and future residents alike.” “The bridge and bypass scheme forms an important part of our Dracan Village Development and shows that Vistry is committed to doing more than regenerating the former Drakelow power station into 2,000 beautiful new homes. We are building a new community providing investment in education, healthcare, and highways as well as building new infrastructure including a local centre, a new school later this year and large areas of public open space with play areas along with the new bridge which will really drive employment and economic growth in the region.” The new bridge and bypass will provide vital two-way vehicular access over the River Trent, replacing the inadequate one-way bailey bridge which has acted as a bottle neck for traffic in the area for many years. The new bridge will provide better access for current inhabitants and for the 2,000 current and expected residents of the new development on the site of the former Drakelow power station. Justin Ives, CEO at South Derbyshire District Council said: “It’s fantastic to see the start of the new bridge at Walton, this vital piece of infrastructure will not only assist the residents of the new development at the former Drakelow power station but also relieve congestion for the entire area” Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Charlotte Cupit, said: “We are pleased work has started on this long-awaited new bridge and that it will be completed as soon as possible, as we know it will provide an important additional route over the Trent for local communities.” Cllr Michael Fitzpatrick, Leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council said: “I was delighted to be invited to this ‘commencing event’, a milestone reached at long last. Along with our local authority partners, stakeholders and engineering experts it was great to see that diggers have indeed broke the ground, and a spade of course. “An exciting village is starting to emerge and with much needed homes and the infrastructure and community facilities planned, I can only welcome and support the significant progress made. I would like to thank Vistry for their vision and commitment to delivery. I am very grateful for the work of our planning teams in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire who working together have, in a relatively short time, turned proposals for this by-pass and bridge, into a deliverable scheme. It now seems highly likely that we will be invited to an opening ceremony in the very near future and this would be a momentous occasion. “The economic, social and environmental benefits for our area, together with the relief for the residents of Walton, Dracon Village and for Stapenhill will be most welcomed. This will be the time, working with our Highway Authority, to restrict HGV traffic using our Stapenhill Main Street and Rosliston Road and at the same time protect the Leicester Line Bridge from the weight it has carried for several years.” Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills Philip White added: “I am pleased that Vistry Group is committing to the start of work on this very important piece of infrastructure, and I welcome the start of works. However, we are clear that there is still a lot to do to get the detailed design and approvals in place before we know it is safe, and that it will be built in its entirety. “The county council will work tirelessly with partners to ensure the Vistry Group keeps its promises to the local community to build this bridge and that the cost and burden does not fall on local taxpayers.” Vistry is already working in earnest on the bridge and anticipates seeing the main structure of the bridge installed later this year with the commissioning and opening to follow shortly after. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Yesterday, in Leicester, City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby joined Midlands Connect and business leaders to pledge their support for the proposed rail link between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham. At the meeting, at the station, attendees were told that 13.5 million minutes could be saved by people travelling by train on the route. Last week, Midlands Connect submitted a business case to government asking for support to progress the project. New analysis shows that if the link between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham is delivered an additional 600,000 trips per year will be taken by rail. At the moment, only 3% of people who travel between Coventry and Leicester travel are using rail, with the vast majority going by road, even though it’s only just over 20 miles as the crow flies. Travelling via train could become a more attractive option, with journey times from Coventry to Nottingham being cut by almost one hour under the proposals, reducing travel time from 117 to 65 minutes. Those travelling from Coventry to Leicester will also see a reduction in travel time, changing from 56 to 32 minutes. Extra services will also stop at Coventry Arena, Bedworth, Bermuda Park, Hinckley and Loughborough as part of the plans. The scheme will also massively deliver for businesses by boosting capacity for additional or re-routed freight services between Southampton, the Midlands, and Northern England which could add a further £280 million plus of benefits from the removal of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) kms. The project could create £400m overall benefits including almost £150m wider economic benefits for the region. Due to a more accurate understanding of how people shift from road to rail, the benefits are much higher than the previous business case submission in 2021. The scheme will also deliver for businesses by providing capacity for additional or re-routed freight services between Southampton, the Midlands, and Northern England which could add over £200 million plus of benefits from the removal of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) kms. At the meeting Sir Peter and Midlands Connect were joined by East Midlands Chamber, East Midlands Railway and Cross Country. Sir Peter Soulsby, City Mayor of Leicester said: “‘Coventry and Leicester are the two biggest cities without a direct rail link, with only 3% of journeys between them made by rail. This crucial scheme will reconnect them and directly help travellers and the local economies of Coventry Leicester and Nottingham. The increased rail freight capacity will remove HGVs from the highway network, reducing carbon and improving air quality.” Andy Clark, Head of Rail at Midlands Connect said: “In the early 2000s, direct rail links between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham were severed to make room for improvements along the West Coast Main Line, which required additional trains running through Nuneaton to the North West and Scotland. “Midlands Connect is keen to progress the project and we’ve submitted a business case last week to government. Our new figures show that we could save millions of minutes and create hundreds of thousands of new trips – this project will make a massive difference.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has indicated she is “minded to approve” Gatwick Airport’s £2.2bn expansion plans, subject to the development of noise mitigation measures. The airport has applied to bring its northern runway into regular use, currently restricted to acting as a taxiway or backup for the main runway. The proposal includes shifting the northern runway’s centre line 12 metres north to enable dual runway operations while maintaining international safety standards. Plans also feature terminal extensions, a new aircraft parking pier, enhancements to an existing pier, and flyovers to separate local and airport traffic to ease congestion. The five-year project includes new passenger facilities, car parks, offices, and hotels. Gatwick submitted its application to the Planning Inspectorate in July 2023. Following a review, the Inspectorate presented its findings to the Department for Transport on 27 November 2024, with a deadline for a response set for 27 February 2025. In her statement, Alexander said: “I have issued a ‘minded to approve’ letter for Gatwick’s northern runway development consent order (DCO) under the Planning Act 2008. As the examining authority has recommended an alternative DCO with additional operational controls, I am allowing more time to seek views on these provisions before a final decision.” The final ruling has now been extended to 27 October 2025. London Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate welcomed the update, stating: “It is vital that any planning conditions allow us to confidently invest £2.2bn in this project and unlock the full benefits of bringing the northern runway into routine use. “This project will create 14,000 jobs and generate £1bn annually in economic benefits. By increasing capacity and resilience, we can strengthen the UK’s global connectivity and drive economic growth in the southeast and beyond. We remain committed to responsible growth, balancing passenger demand with minimising noise and environmental impact.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

At a conference at Coventry Transport Museum today (28 Feb 2025), Midlands Connect made the case to reinstate the direct rail link between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham. In 2021, Midlands Connect submitted a Strategic Outline Business Case to the government, proposing the links between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham were reinstated. It is clear the project is still significant, and Midlands Connect has refreshed the original Strategic Outline Business Case for the project, which has only become more vital since its original submission in 2021. The project could create £400m overall benefits including almost £150m wider economic benefits for the region. Due to a more accurate understanding of how people shift from road to rail, the benefits are much higher than the previous SOBC submission in 2021. The event today saw the launch of a report which detailed plans to improve rail connections between the three cities. Currently, just 3% of journeys between Coventry and Leicester are made by rail, compared to 30% of journeys between Coventry and Birmingham. Political representatives including Mary Creagh MP, Rachel Taylor MP, Jodie Gosling MP, and Sir Peter Soulsby were joined by business leaders such as Corin Crane (Coventry and Warwickshire Chambers) and Richard Blackmore (East Midlands Chamber). The event saw a lively discussion of how this project can support the people and businesses of the Midlands. Mary Creagh, MP for Coventry East, said: “This project is vital to the future of our three great cities. It would help reduce journey times and create access to work for hundreds of thousands of people. I will be pushing hard for this much needed infrastructure investment in our region as part of Labour’s plan for growth.” Leicester City Mayor, Peter Soulsby, said: “Coventry and Leicester are the two biggest cities without a direct rail link. This crucial scheme will reconnect them, directly helping travellers and supporting the local economies of Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham. “With rail lines through Leicester at capacity, hindering the development of both passenger and freight trains, this scheme is urgently needed. By increasing rail freight capacity, the scheme will remove HGVs from the highway network, reducing carbon and improving air quality – which is great news for Leicester.” Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, said: “It was so great to be at the event today, to hear support for our project from leaders across the Midlands. This scheme is so important, as we move to decarbonise transport, we must make rail the most attractive option possible. Creating direct routes between major centres is the best way to do this.” The plans will see an increase in services and a reduction in journey times for those travelling between Coventry, Nuneaton, Leicester, and Nottingham by rail; making it a more attractive option compared to driving. There will be two faster services from Coventry to Leicester and Nottingham, calling at Hinckley, Leicester, and Loughborough. An additional local service will stop Coventry, Coventry Arena, Bedworth, Bermuda Park and Nuneaton. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals