Chalk excavated from the Chiltern tunnels being used to landscape the site which is set to become a 127 hectare wildlife haven featuring new chalk grassland, woodland, wood pasture and wetland habitats. The transformation of HS2’s largest construction site into a haven for wildlife reached a major milestone this week with the millionth cubic metre of chalk laid out around the south portal of the Chiltern tunnel. The ambitious environmental project will eventually see 2.6 million cubic metres of chalk excavated during the construction of the 10 mile long tunnels used to create one of the largest areas of chalk grassland in the Chiltern hills. Instead of removing the material by road, it is being used to landscape the site as part of plans to create 127 hectares of new chalk grassland, woodland, wood pasture and wetland habitats. Welcoming the news, HS2 Ltd’s Environment Director Peter Miller said: “The south portal project is one of the most important parts of our Green Corridor programme to establish better connected, sustainable and biodiverse landscapes along the route of the new railway and will contribute substantially to HS2’s carbon reduction target. “It’s great to see how much chalk has already been laid on site and I look forward to seeing the site completely transform over the coming years.” Chalk grassland – a type of calcareous grassland – is habitat of international conservation importance mainly found on limestone and chalk downlands of south-east England and the Isle of Wight. Lime-rich, but low in nutrients, the thin soil holds little water and drains well. These conditions encourage a huge variety of smaller herbs and wildflowers and over 40 plant species can be found in one square metre of grassland, including some of the UK’s rarest orchids as well as highly diverse invertebrate populations. Only 700 hectares of chalk grassland exist across the whole of the Chilterns AONB. The plans have been developed by HS2’s main works contractor, Align – a joint venture formed of three international infrastructure companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick – working with its design partners Jacobs, Rendel-Ingerop, and LDA Design, that form Align D. Chris Chantler, Align D, Design Director “This innovative, multi-discipline project is providing a unique opportunity to create a huge expanse of new grassland using chalk being excavated from the Chiltern tunnels. With the first million cubic metres of chalk having already been placed to create the grassland, we are well on the way to creating a landscape which will be both rich in diversity and a place for people to explore and connect with the natural environment.” Two giant tunnelling machines – named Florence and Cecilia – are currently around 4 miles into their journey under the Chilterns. The material they excavate is mixed with water to form a slurry before being pumped out of the tunnel. It is then processed at a slurry treatment plant at the south portal site where the flint is removed and water extracted, to leave chalk cake which is then carefully laid out on site – together with recycled concrete and aggregates from construction works – in order to create a naturalistic landscape with all the temporary construction buildings removed. Ninety hectares of chalk grassland will be seeded into re-profiled soil layers. This will sit alongside new areas of woodland, wood pasture and wetlands, including almost 65,000 trees and shrubs of 32 species and nearly 3.5km of new hedgerows. Around 4.5km of new footpath, cycling and horse-riding routes will give the public areas to large parts of the site, which sits between the Colne Valley Regional Park and the Chilterns AONB. Field trials are in preparation ahead of final seeding, and planting of trees and shrubs in 2025.

As the tunnelling machines under the Chilterns approach the four-mile mark, HS2 completes the first of thirty-eight underground connections between the northbound and southbound tunnels The construction of HS2’s longest tunnels stretching for 10 miles under the Chilterns has begun a new phase with the start of work on thirty-eight cross passages linking the northbound and southbound tunnels. The Chiltern tunnels will carry high speed trains between London and the North at speeds of up to 200mph (320km/h). The trains will travel through two parallel tunnels linked by short passages for use in emergencies. With the two giant tunnelling machines – named Florence and Cecilia – now almost four miles into their journeys, attention has turned to the first cross passages. An expert team of miners used a remotely controlled excavator to break out of and excavate from one running tunnel to the adjacent tunnel.  As the excavation is progressed the ground is supported using a sprayed concrete lining (SCL). Delivered by HS2’s main works contractor, Align – a joint venture formed of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick – each passage is between 15 and 20 metres in length. Once the team had completed the SCL lined tunnel, a water-proof membrane was installed followed by a secondary concrete lining constructed by placing concrete behind formwork installed in the cross passage. Martyn Noak, HS2 Ltd’s Head of Tunnel Engineering, said: “HS2 is making huge progress, with 25,000 jobs supported by the project, construction in full swing between London and Birmingham and now the start of this new phase of tunnelling work under the Chilterns. “While invisible to the travelling public, the cross passages have a key role in providing a safe operational railway.  In an emergency they allow the safe evacuation of passengers into a place of relative safety – the other tunnel.  Constructing cross passages is different than using a tunnelling machine as the ground is excavated in short lengths with each advance being left unsupported for a short period of time until the sprayed concrete lining is installed.  It is a different set of risks and a specific skilled workforce is needed.  “It’s great to see the first one complete and I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in this important milestone, one down 37 to go.” Daniel Altier, Align Project Director said, “The completion of this cross passage is a significant milestone for the team at Align JV, delivering the first mined cross passage on HS2 phase 1. I’m proud of the team, their hard work and collaboration to get us to this point.   “In partnership with our supply chain; KVJV responsible for the ground treatment, specialist contractor Euro Diamond Drilling and waterproofing specialist Rennesco, the sub-surface team at Align have already commenced preparation work on several other cross passages and are making good progress.” Once the passageway is complete, the safety doors can be installed at either end. These are being manufactured by Bolton-based Booth Industries who won the contract to provide more than 300 units for all the tunnels between London and Birmingham. The win allowed Booth Industries to establish a new facility in the town and create up to 50 jobs over the next 10 years. The sliding doors have been subjected to rigorous fire and fatigue testing to take account of the train speeds, associated pressures and frequency of the trains.  Each running tunnel has an emergency walkway that allows passengers to safely evacuate the train and walk through the cross passages into the other tunnel where they can be rescued on a passenger train.  Access for emergency services is from either the portal or one of the five ventilation/emergency access shafts.

An awards ceremony, hosted by HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson MP, was held in Parliament today (Monday, 4 July) to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and businesses supporting the construction of Britain’s new railway. Members of Parliament joined Mr Stephenson for the ceremony, which shone a light on those who are going the extra mile to ensure that the project raises the bar for equality, diversity and inclusion and leaves a lasting skills legacy. HS2 Minister, Andrew Stephenson MP said: “With almost 25,000 people across 340 sites now supporting HS2’s construction, today is a chance to reflect on the personal achievements of those who are working hard to ensure that HS2 transforms communities and changes lives. I feel privileged to have held the role of HS2 Minister for the last two and half years, and what inspires me most is seeing the work you are all doing on this landmark project. You inspire me and I know you are inspiring others too.” Shortlisted finalists, in eight award categories, were invited to attend the event and the winners were announced as follows: Community Impact award Three projects, designed to improve outcomes for those who live near to HS2’s construction sites, were shortlisted for the community impact award, with the public voting for the overall winner – Costain Skanska joint venture (CSjv). CSjv saw first-hand the devastating effect of rough sleeping in Euston and eager to help, they formed partnerships to help rehouse, reskill and create pathways to support people into employment. The team worked with local charity St Mungo’s to provide temporary accommodation and established the first ever floating homeless hub, based on a construction site, by transforming an empty building into a shelter with beds, wrap around care, food, toiletries and 24 hour security. A new partnership with Buses 4 Homeless (B4H) who refurbish decommissioned London buses and turn them into spaces for eating, sleeping, cooking and learning, led to a three-month pilot at a HS2 site in Acton, where people were housed and supported. Seven of the guests went on to secure full time employment, including four who secured jobs working on HS2. The team’s support for the local homeless community continues today. Apprentice of the Year award (level 3 and below) 25-year-old Divine Makondele, a tunnelling operative apprentice with TG Tunnelling, was announced as the winner. The judges hailed Divine as an inspiration to other young women and credited her determination to follow her dream and play a part in major infrastructure projects. Divine was inspired by the transformational impact of the London 2012 Olympics and sought to follow a career path which would allow her to transform communities and change lives. Apprentice of the Year award (level 4 and above) 21-year-old Sam Arrowsmith, an associate project management apprentice, impressed the judges with his drive to make a fundamental change to the industry. Sam completed his apprenticeship six months early and scored the highest grade amongst his cohort in his final exams. Sam plays an active role in HS2’s volunteer education programmes, inspiring other young people to consider a career in the sector. He was also recognised for his role in HS2’s Back to Better programme, which sought to ensure the safety of staff working across construction sites during the pandemic. Skills Legacy award HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) scooped the award for the establishment of their Birmingham Skills Academy, which upskills local people ready for employment on HS2 in just 4-6 weeks. BBV’s Skills and Employment team were applauded for the role they have played in bringing together local partners, securing funding and changing the lives of those who have been out of work for an extended period by supporting them into meaningful careers on HS2. STEM Contribution award HS2’s construction partner, Align, received the award for the innovative and original nature of its schools programme, which enables pupils with special educational needs to gain real life experience of working in construction. Align places a strong focus on supporting pupils with disabilities and has developed a close working relationship with the Meadow School in Hillingdon. The judges praised the team behind the project for pushing boundaries and striving to encourage more people with a disability into the sector. Inclusive Leaders award Katherine Grigg, a Construction Manager with HS2’s construction partner Skanska Constrain STRABAG was awarded for her outstanding contribution to inspiring inclusivity. Nominated by her fellow colleagues, Katherine was recognised for the steps she has taken to build a diverse pipeline of talent, ensuring that the unique needs of women and BAME employees are accommodated on site. She was recognised as a person who is striving to inspire change and take the industry forward. Minority-owned Business Champion award SCS Railways was recognised for the role it is playing to build a supply chain that reflects the communities in which they operate. To date, the company has awarded contracts totalling £135m to minority owned businesses in their local area and has placed a strong focus on ensuring small firms have every opportunity to thrive by providing access to free training and business development opportunities. Modern Slavery Prevention award The judges praised VGC Group for their comprehensive and robust approach to addressing the dangers of modern slavery. Chief Operating Officer, Ciara Pryce, has been named one of the top 100 Modern Slavery influencers and the judges felt it was clear from the practices put in place that she is leading the way on this important agenda to tackle hidden labour exploitation.