Members of the Bee Network Committee have approved the release of more than £20m to progress with key transport infrastructure projects in Greater Manchester. The latest release of funds – including £10m from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and more than £10m from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund – will go towards a range of projects, each contributing towards the delivery of a high-quality, affordable and fully integrated public transport and walking, wheeling and cycling network. Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner, said: “We are moving quickly to bring about improvements that will make a real difference to how people get around Greater Manchester using public transport or when walking, wheeling or cycling.  “Over the next few years more than £1bn will be invested to make bus and active travel journeys better and to make paying more convenient through ‘tap and go’ ticketing. The scale of ambition is reflected in the drawdown of these funds that support continued delivery of the Bee Network across all ten districts of the city-region.” Integrated ticketing and travel information To ensure people can travel conveniently and seamlessly on Bee Network services, funding of £7.3m was approved to deliver contactless pay-as-you go across bus and Metrolink services. It means customers will be able to pay via a contactless card or device while using Bee Network bus and tram services throughout the day, with the best value fare automatically worked out and capped for them. The funds will also be used to help combat fare evasion, with new devices to check whether passengers have paid via contactless, along with a new feature that will enable passengers to see their journey history in the Bee Network app.     Middleton ‘Streets for All’ The ‘Streets for All’ scheme – that will ensure that high-quality walking, wheeling and cycling connections – is currently being developed for Middleton town centre by Rochdale Council. The scheme, which is still subject to further approvals, supporting the wider Masterplan and its ambition to unlock regeneration around the Market Place, creating new housing and establish of a new cultural quarter. A key feature of the scheme will involve reconfiguring the Market Place roundabout, to include a new public space, better segregated cycling provision around the roundabout and improvements to the underpass to allow sufficient width for shared use between pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists. The Bee Network Committee approved £0.7m to progress the scheme to a final business case and progress with awarding a contract for the Streets for All scheme. Improving journeys – Rochdale – Oldham – Ashton Improving bus routes around Greater Manchester is a Bee Network priority, and a long-term project is already underway to improve the reliability of bus services between Rochdale, Oldham and Ashton, along with bettering connections to and from bus stops and the environment along key routes. The route between Rochdale, Oldham and Ashton is currently the busiest on the franchised network. Funding for the project, known as Improving journeys – Rochdale – Oldham – Ashton is being released in phases, and the Bee Network Committee has now released £2.1m of CRSTS funding to develop the Rochdale element of the scheme to Full Business Case. Construction of the main scheme in Rochdale is anticipated to commence in Autumn 2025, subject to further approvals. Active travel schemes Walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure is a key component of the Bee Network, enabling people to opt for active modes of travel for shorter journeys through the provision of high-quality, safe and well-connected routes. Funding for four active travel schemes was approved by the Committee, with a total of £10.46m to be released from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund – a programme of work partly funded by CRSTS. The draw down will enable the delivery of almost 5km of Bee Network standard routes, crossings and junction improvements.    Almost £5m (£4.99m) was approved for cycling and walking infrastructure along Seymour Grove in Trafford, part of a wider programme of work that forms Trafford’s A56 North Active Travel Corridor between Stretford and Manchester city centre. The Seymour Grove scheme will provide a series of measures along a 0.5km section of Talbot Road, addressing a missing link in the existing active travel network. The wider scheme will link the cycle route to Trafford Bar Metrolink station, see the addition of Starling Bank Bike hire facilities and support the wider regeneration vision for Stretford. As well as a segregated cycle route, this scheme will provide two fully segregated protected junctions (Chester Road/Stretford Road/Talbot Road and Seymour Grove/Talbot Road) and will enable future development of an active travel route running south along Seymour Grove, connecting to the Chorlton Cycleway. The committee also approved £2.17m to build a new cycleway in Leigh, along on the A572 St Helens Road from the Bridgewater Canal to Bonnywell Road. This route will also improve the route from Leigh to Leigh Sports Village and Pennington Flash. In addition, £1.99m of MCF funding will be released to develop a traffic-free active travel route from Wigan town centre to Standish, bypassing the busy A49, and £1.31m to extend the Whelley Loop Line, and build an accessible ramp up to Hall Lane, improving access to Haigh Hall. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Average speeds at peak times drop by nearly a half in the morning rush hour between Hinckley and Tamworth, according to new research by transport body Midlands. Analysis shows the route drops 44% in average speeds in the AM peak, between 6 am and 10 am compared to off-peak journey times.  The average speed on the route is 48 miles per hour, dropping to around 32 MPH during peak periods. In some locations, it can dip down as low as 10 miles per hour. There were 180 road traffic incidents on this section of the A5 from 2017 to 2021, with 45 in 2019 and one in five of these (20%) resulting in ‘serious’ injuries to one or more people. The corridor is one of the Midlands’ most important east-west connections and is at the heart of the “Logistics golden triangle” bounded by the M1, M6 and M69. This is an area of the country from which drivers can reach 90% of the population within four hours, a very important location for logistics firms. Integrated Transport Programme Lead, Swati Mittal said: “The A5 corridor is home to a million people, sitting at the heart of the so-called Logistics Golden Triangle and supporting major employment sites such as Magna Park and MIRA. Anything we can do to upgrade the route is vital for residents, commuters and businesses in the area. “With improvements, Midlands Connect believes the route has the potential to provide an alternative route to our congested motorways and support significant housing and employment growth.” Sarah Edwards, Member of Parliament for Tamworth said: “Fixing our roads is a priority and plays a major part in our economic productivity and development. We must get our road networks fit for purpose. “The A5 plays a crucial role for commuters across the West Midlands, my constituents in Tamworth included, and it is important that appropriate funding and support is made available to ensure it can keep delivering for residents. I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport to ensure investment in road infrastructure supports our constituency and its prospects for growth.” Bill Cullen CEO of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and chair of the executive of the A5 Partnership said: “What these findings demonstrate is that the A5 continues to be a significant route through the Midlands, but we must unlock the blockages with key road investment in priority areas of the corridor to ensure it continues to support economic growth and remains fit for purpose.” Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways Mark Deaville said: “Improved connectivity is a priority to the county council and the A5 corridor is a key east/west route in the south. The M42 junction is particularly busy and congested at peak times which we hope can be addressed. As a centre for the logistics sector, especially with the development of the West Midlands Interchange, we need effective and efficient transport routes to help grow our economy. This route also supports our visitor economy, particularly with attractions like Drayton Manor Park and the National Memorial Arboretum. We wholeheartedly support any moves to upgrade the corridor and remove obstacles to growth.” Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “While the A5 is managed and maintained by National Highways, we fully support the work being done to secure improvements. “As the highway authority, we know problems such as bridge strikes, congestion and accidents are having a detrimental impact for our residents throughout Hinckley as well as the villages in the south of the county.  The A5 isn’t functioning, and we share the views of partners who are calling for improvements to be prioritised and additional funding made available. “Securing and delivering improvements on the A5 also resonates with the core themes of our draft new Local Transport Plan, which include supporting growth and boosting the local economy, improving people’s health and reducing the impacts of traffic on our communities. The urgent need is there to improve the road.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

HS2’s tunnelling team are celebrating completing half of the 8.4-mile twin bored Northolt Tunnel underneath London. Four tunnel boring machines (TBM) are being used the complete the tunnel that will carry high-speed trains between HS2’s super-hub station at Old Oak Common, west London, and the outskirts of the capital at West Ruislip. The machines will excavate 16.8 miles of tunnel overall – two bores over the 8.4-mile length – making it the second longest tunnel on the new railway after one recently excavated beneath the Chiltern Hills. The first machine, named Sushila after a local teacher, was launched eastwards from West Ruislip in October 2022. This was followed one month later by TBM Caroline, named after astrologer Caroline Herschel, which is used to excavate the adjacent tunnel. Both will complete 5 miles of the route, finishing their journeys at the Green Park Way vent shaft in Greenford – just over half way – where they will be lifted out.   In February this year, TBM Emily, which is named after Emily Sophia Taylor, began its journey west from HS2’s Victoria Road Crossover Box site near Old Oak Common towards Greenford. She was joined by the fourth machine, named Anne, after Lady Anne Byron, in May. They will both complete 3.4 miles of the tunnel. Combined, the four machines have now travelled over 8.4 miles – half of the total distance for the twin-bored tunnel. The completion of each tunnel drive will be staggered as they reach the final destination at Green Park Way, with the first TBM, Sushila, arriving later this year. Each machine operates like an underground factory, excavating the tunnels, lining them with pre-cast concrete tunnel segments, grouting them into place before moving forward at an average speed of 16 metres per day. Teams work around the clock below ground on the TBMs along with teams on the surface supporting them.   Marking the significance of the tunnelling milestone, Malcolm Codling, Client Director for HS2 Ltd, said: “Our London tunnels team are making significant progress taking HS2 from design to reality underneath the capital, building Britain’s new transformational low carbon railway. Completing half of the Northolt Tunnel has come after years of work from the team and we are now looking forwards to the TBMs reaching the end of their journeys, with the first arriving at Green Park Way in Greenford later this year. “ As the TBMs progress, other vital features of the tunnel are put in place such as cross passages, vent shafts and headhouses. Along the Northolt Tunnel there are five shafts and headhouses which will provide ventilation systems and emergency access to the tunnel when in operation.   Between them, the quartet of machines have excavated nearly 2 million tonnes of earth. The excavated material is being put to beneficial reuse. Around the West Ruislip portal, it is being used around the Copthall Green Tunnel, to remodel a nearby golf course that has been impacted by HS2’s tunnelling and is being used sustainably to create new green spaces in the Hillingdon area surrounding the new railway. London Clay removed from the Victoria Road Crossover Box side of the tunnel, is being taken to the London Logistics hub using a spoil conveyor. From there it is taken by rail to beneficial reuse sites across the UK in Rugby, Kent and Cambridgeshire. The logistics hub has now transported over 2 million tonnes of materials to these sites, which are being used to backfill quarries to support housing developments and build wildlife areas for birds. The Northolt Tunnel is being built by a joint venture formed of the companies Skanska, Costain and STRABAG (SCS). The same JV will also construct the Euston Tunnel eastward from Old Oak Common to the centre of London. James Richardson, Managing Director of Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, said: “Reaching the halfway point of our tunnelling programme for the Northolt Tunnel demonstrates the huge progress achieved to date on one of the most complex and ambitious programmes embarked upon in the UK. Alongside the tunnelling operations we are now moving into the fitout stage of the works in readiness for track and rail systems to be installed. “At Old Oak Common, we are gearing up to assemble and install our final two TBMs, ready to take the high-speed line into central London.” In May, HS2 revealed that across the route between London and the West Midlands, half of all the twin bored tunnel had been complete highlighting the significant progress HS2’s 31,000 strong workforce have made in constructing Britain’s new high speed rail line. Two of the tunnels are now complete – one stretching for 10 miles under the Chiltern Hills and another one-mile in length beneath Long Itchington Wood in Warwickshire. Two others remain under construction – the Northolt Tunnel in London and the 3.5-mile Bromford Tunnel in the West Midlands taking the line into central Birmingham. Preparations to bore the final tunnel between Old Oak Common station and Euston are underway with two further TBMs due to arrive in the UK this summer ready to be assembled in the underground box at the station site. Timings and funding for the construction of the Euston Tunnel are being confirmed with government. When complete, HS2 will improve connections between London and the West Midlands, with trains running further north on existing lines. The new high speed railway will create quicker and more reliable journeys, driving economic growth while crucially freeing up space for more local trains on the most congested part of the existing West Coast Main Line. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Balfour Beatty, in partnership with National Highways, has reopened the M25 seven hours ahead of schedule, following the completion of the latest stage of improvement works for the Junction 10 improvement scheme.  The M25 between Junction 10 and 11 was closed at 9pm on Friday 12 July until around 11pm on Sunday 14 July, marking the third closure of the M25 since the beginning of this year. During the closure, Balfour Beatty successfully installed 72 concrete beams which will form the second of the new Junction 10 gyratory bridges and lifted two new gantries into place – one being a 45 metre superspan gantry, spanning the entire width of the M25 carriageway. Howard Williams, Balfour Beatty Project Director, said: “Another great achievement for Balfour Beatty and National Highways, as we reopen the M25 to the travelling public ahead of schedule following another complex weekend of works. “I would like to extend my thanks to my colleagues and our supply chain partners who have worked tirelessly to make this latest closure a roaring success, and to the public who listened to the advice and followed the diversion routes.” Balfour Beatty will now turn its attention to the construction of the next modular bridge, which will take place offsite. The bridge will then be wheeled into place on a self-propelled modular transporter later this year. The Junction 10 improvement scheme is due to complete in Summer 2025. For more information about the project and the latest updates including the closures, please visit: M25 junction 10 – National Highways Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Proposed route options for the first phase of a new West Yorkshire Mass Transit system will be revealed today in a major step forward for the region’s plans for growth. The Mayor visited Downing Street last week for a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss the government’s growth mission and how Metro Mayors will help deliver it.   Chancellor Rachel Reeves subsequently visited the West Yorkshire Combined Authority offices on Thursday for a discussion about growth and how devolution was key to boosting the economy. Just a few days later (July 15), businesses, politicians and other stakeholders will gather in Leeds city centre to hear more about Mayor Tracy Brabin’s ambitious plans to revolutionise transport in the region. Earlier this year the Mayor set out high level plans for the first phase of a West Yorkshire Mass Transit network. Today marks the start of a public consultation in which people will be asked for their views on a series of possible route options across the Leeds Line and the Bradford Line. The region’s plans for Mass Transit will form a key part of Mayor Brabin’s growth plan. The first phase will be instrumental in connecting people to opportunity and boosting the economy. Feedback from the consultation will be considered as part of ongoing development work to determine a preferred route for the Bradford Line and the Leeds Line.  The statutory preferred route consultation will be held in 2025, and the Mayor has previously promised to have spades in the ground on the project by 2028. Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “I’m committed to growing our economy and putting more money into people’s pockets – but to do so we need a transport network that is fit for purpose. “Pivotal to achieving that is a modern, Mass Transit system interconnected with a West Yorkshire bus network under local control. “I’ve promised to have spades in the ground by 2028 on Mass Transit, but we need to understand the views of the people who will use it to help inform the route it will take.” Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: “Our analysis suggests West Yorkshire is one of the country’s biggest priorities for a major public transport upgrade to meet the needs of local residents and businesses – and this is now firmly on its way. “The effects of making journeys easier and reducing road congestion should unlock significant and sustainable economic growth for Leeds, Bradford and the wider region, as well as improving everyday life.  “Mayor Brabin and her team deserve credit for progressing plans to this point, where now the public have their chance to shape the future of a scheme that holds so much potential for boosting commuting, trade and leisure links across the region.” Paul Swinney, Director of Policy at Centre for Cities, said: “The UK economy will only close the yawning gaps we have with France and Germany if big cities like Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire area are able to reach their full potential. “Improving public transport in West Yorkshire to better link people to jobs will be part of achieving this. This makes the Mass Transit consultation important not just for West Yorkshire but for the national economy too.” Tom Forth, founder and CTO of The Data City, one of North England’s fastest growing AI companies, said: “Whether it’s worrying about arriving late for hospital appointments or nursery pickups, opting out of a better-paid job because the commute doesn’t work, or businesses struggling to find the fantastic staff they need to expand, we know in our region how poor connectivity is holding us back. “I can’t wait to make a positive response to the consultation, arguing for the investment that will unlock new homes, new business sites, and better access to nature, entertainment, family, and friends that long overdue investment can unlock “This is our chance to make the plans for Mass Transit in West Yorkshire irresistible to a new UK government focused on growth and prosperity.” Marcus Johns, Senior Research Fellow at IPPR North, said: “Public transport is mission critical for driving up economic growth, opening up opportunities, addressing the climate crisis, and boosting living standards, all shown clearly by the evidence in the UK and internationally. “This ambition to rapidly rollout a Mass Transit system across West Yorkshire is a major step in the right direction, and demonstrates how the gap left by decades of underinvestment in our public transport across the North and beyond can be plugged. “This is not only good for West Yorkshire, as the benefits of bolstering West Yorkshire’s economy will be good for the whole North. It is a clear lesson of the high ambition and benefits that Mayors, devolution, and investment are bringing to our wider region. To unlock shared growth and renewal, we hope to see schemes like this brought forward for cities and towns across the country.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

HS2 has completed the four huge piers of the Curzon 2 bridge, marking a significant construction milestone on the sequence of viaducts that will take high-speed trains in and out of Birmingham. The bridge, which has been nicknamed “Bellingham Bridge” in honour of England superstar and Stourbridge-born Jude Bellingham, is the tallest structure in the one-mile stretch of connected viaducts being built through the city’s industrial heartland. It will carry high-speed trains over the existing Victorian brick rail viaduct, with a 25-metre-high curved truss displaying a vibrant light installation which will create a new icon on the city’s skyline. Work began on the four piers in Autumn 2023, with each structure now standing 16 metres tall. Assembly of the deck and the curved truss in weathering steel, has now started and is set to complete by next Spring. The 150-metre-long deck is being assembled on top of the seven piers of the adjacent Curzon 1 viaduct, with around 130 individual parts lifted by crane. The entire deck and truss structure, which weighs over 4,000 tonnes, will then be slid 190 metres into place onto the Curzon 2 piers using a jacking system. This operation is set to take place over 12 days in Summer 2025. The viaduct includes a unique light installation, designed by British artist Liz West, which will introduce a dynamic colour palette to the apertures of the steel truss, framing views of the city. Titled Out of the Blue, the proposed public artwork will create a dramatic feature in Birmingham’s urban landscape. As the gateway to Birmingham, high speed trains will travel out of the west portal of the 3.5 mile Bromford Tunnel at Washwood Heath and onto the one mile long stretch of five connected viaducts – Duddeston Junction, Curzon 1, Curzon 2, Lawley Middleway and Curzon 3 which links onto the platforms of Curzon Street Station. The Curzon approach viaducts are being built by HS2’s West Midlands contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI, with a team of more than 250 people, including engineering apprentices, steel welders, steel fixers and joiners.  David King, Senior Project Manager at HS2 Ltd said: “With the completion of these four huge viaduct piers, HS2’s gateway into Birmingham has taken another leap forward. “Passengers travelling on the new high-speed trains will experience a fantastic entrance to the city as they emerge from Bromford Tunnel at Washwood Heath, and rise up onto this striking stretch of viaducts on the approach to the new state-of-the-art Curzon Street Station.” Onder Akin, Senior Project Manager at Balfour Beatty VINCI said: “This iconic bridge is part of a complex series of connected viaducts that will weave through Birmingham’s industrial heartland. I’m proud of how the BBV team has responded to the challenge of building these structures in such a busy urban space, working around existing rail lines and utilities. “The completion of the four 16-metre-high piers to support the bridge shows the great progress we’re making, and the team is now preparing for the operation next year, which we believe will be among the longest bridge launches of its type ever delivered in the UK.” The design for the Curzon Street approaches section has been developed by a Design Joint Venture of Mott MacDonald and Systra and architects Weston Williamson + Partners, all working for Balfour Beatty VINCI. Nicholas Robertshaw, Design Project Director at Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture said: “It’s clear to see from the height of the completed piers that the Curzon 2 viaduct will be become an iconic part of Birmingham’s skyline, referencing the city’s industrial heritage. “The work done to date is a testament to the collaborative efforts made by all parties to design this vital piece of transport infrastructure in a way which will benefit passengers and deliver a lasting legacy for the wider Birmingham community.” A truss bridge is light but strong, composed of connected elements that form triangular units, and constructed using a relatively small amount of material. This makes the truss form ideal to assemble offline and then launch from one end and in one piece across the existing railway viaduct below. The truss has been designed to ‘wrap’ around the viaduct, extending the bottom of the steel to wrap underneath the viaduct deck and forming a visual connection to the steel girders of the adjacent structures. The viaduct deck itself will carry three parallel high speed rail tracks over the existing east-west rail line. When complete, HS2 will improve connections between London and the West Midlands, with trains running further north on existing lines. This new high speed railway will create quicker and far more reliable journeys, driving economic growth while crucially freeing up space for more local trains on the most congested part of the existing West Coast Main Line. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals