Biosite Systems, a leader in biometric access control and workforce management solutions for the construction industry, has partnered with Costain Skanska Joint Venture (CSJV) to deliver a competency management system that has led to 0% non-conformances reported at audit. Working on behalf of High Speed Two (HS2), CSJV was responsible
Following on from the hugely successful Railtex, attention now turns to Infrarail, the UK’s leading exhibition of railway infrastructure equipment, products and services. Infrarail returns next year but will be at a new venue, the London Olympia, from May 12th to May 14th. The event is firmly established as Britain’s
When we think about where might be one of the worst places to drive in the world, India might may be first to spring to mind. In fact, India’s roads have been named as some of the deadliest and then there’s the chaotic 50-lane motorway that reduces to 20 lanes
A prestigious industry award has been secured by the health, safety and environment team behind Manchester Airport’s £1 billion transformation project. Laing O’Rourke’s group was named Team of the Year in the RoSPA Awards, recognising achievement in health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.
GRAHAM is pleased to announce completion of the new £5.6m Portrush Train Station. The station will be officially opened on 25th June 2019 by Translink. The new station comprises upgrading of the three platforms, with GRAHAM extending the permanent way for Platforms 1 and 2 at the existing station. The
London’s newest station Meridian Water in Enfield, was opened today by Rt Honourable Chris Grayling MP Secretary of State for Transport and Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport. Representatives from Network Rail, Enfield and Haringey councils and Greater Anglia, who will manage the new station, also joined the
Structural steel specialists, J & D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd has been named as the steel contractor for the expansion to London City Airport, known as the City Airport Development Programme (CADP). The £500m development programme to London’s most central airport will see J & D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd fabricate and
More than 350,000 trees have been planted by HS2 as part of efforts to create a Green Corridor of trees and wildlife along the route of the new railway. As well as improving connectivity, boosting the economy and unlocking new jobs and opportunities, HS2 will also work for the environment
Transport Minister Andrew Jones MP, visited Birmingham today to see how works are progressing at the region’s main HS2 sites. As one of the most intensive construction sections along the 140 mile London to Birmingham section of the route, the West Midlands is set to benefit from two brand new
The £373m project to upgrade the M1 in Northamptonshire to a smart motorway continues to make progress, with local contractor Mick George Ltd now appointed to complete verge enabling works in a £31m contract. Under the programme, the 23-mile section of M1 between junctions 13 and 16 will be upgraded
Biosite Systems, a leader in biometric access control and workforce management solutions for the construction industry, has partnered with Costain Skanska Joint Venture (CSJV) to deliver a competency management system that has led to 0% non-conformances reported at audit. Working on behalf of High Speed Two (HS2), CSJV was responsible for the South section of the £900 million essential enabling works programme and quickly recognised the need for a sophisticated system, to ensure total visibility of the almost 3,500 active workforce. Biosite’s Mosaic solution was tailored to respond to CSJV’s specific challenges to capture and analyse data that would be valuable at both a site and group level. Using multiple devices to capture the data, the system provides real-time movements for each person – including direct employees and subcontractors – and traceability around agreed key areas, including accreditations and skills checking, health and safety briefings and Ethnicity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) data. Online inductions have also been introduced to allow checks and measures to be completed in advance and save valuable time on site. The system has been deployed by CSJV at all 21 sites of the South enabling works programme, spanning 26.8km. Alongside the unprecedented 0% non-conformances reported at internal audit, the system has enabled CSJV to respond to increasing demand for enhanced EDI data, as well as capture toolbox talks, safety briefings and a roll call via a Mobile App. At a corporate level, the system is being utilised for comprehensive, real-time reporting via site and corporate portals to analyse worker competencies, time and attendance and skills gaps, all in real-time. The system has also been integrated with existing CSJV platforms to maximise efficiency and performance, whilst reducing potential conformance issues. On an average monthly basis, the system captures more than 220,000 biometric events (operatives entering a site), with more than 27,000 operatives captured on a mobile device as having completed ‘classes’, which can include toolbox talks, safety briefings and inductions. The scope of the project has meant additional investment in employee resource by both Biosite and CSJV, from apprentice level to product specialists, engineers and dedicated service support. Allison Cameron, SHE Administration Manager, Costain Skanska Joint Venture, explains: “Biosite’s Mosaic solution provided vital clarity around an incredibly complex project, which was critical to optimising performance and meeting strict timescales. Having an effective competency management solution put us in control of our sites by providing the data we needed, when we needed it, which enabled more informed decision-making.” Kamran Ali, Business Manager at Biosite Systems Ltd, adds: “The success of the solution has been a result of the close collaboration between Biosite and CSJV during the development and deployment stages, which married the advanced system capabilities with optimum management and utilisation. As well as achieving 0% non-conformances – which is phenomenal – we’re thrilled that Allison’s exceptional management of the system has also been recognised with multiple award wins, including an Industry Fire Environment (IFE) and Work Sight award.”
Following on from the hugely successful Railtex, attention now turns to Infrarail, the UK’s leading exhibition of railway infrastructure equipment, products and services. Infrarail returns next year but will be at a new venue, the London Olympia, from May 12th to May 14th. The event is firmly established as Britain’s leading showcase for every aspect of railway infrastructure technology and expertise, attracting visiting managers, engineers and buyers at the highest level. The show comes at a busy, exciting and challenging time for Britain’s railway infrastructure. Large scale investments and upgrading of assets continue to take place across the UK network, including electrification and modernisation schemes in excess of £2.8 billion, Crossrail 2 valued at £32 billion, the Digital Railway programme worth up to £450 million and the Thameslink project valued at £6.5 billion, to name but a few. The exhibition will again display its effectivity in enabling the supply sector to demonstrate its response to these opportunities as the industry’s premier networking event for rail infrastructure. Exhibitors from the full scope of infrastructure sectors will be on display, including track construction and maintenance companies, signalling, communications and passenger information specialists, electrification contractors and equipment providers, measurement, monitoring and testing system suppliers, station equipment and system providers and civil engineering companies, amongst others. The recently agreed Rail Sector Deal, based on four key pillars- Digital Railway, Data, Sustainable Railway and Exports, will also feature heavily at the exhibition, with a range of exhibitors and supporting features planned around these themes. Historically, Infrarail has been the industry’s favoured meeting place for key decision makers, government bodies and buyers, managers, project leaders and engineers active in the supply chain. Visitors will be in attendance from around the world with 200+ organisations anticipated to be exhibiting from countries across the globe, including Germany, Austria, Italy, Netherlands and Spain to name a few. The show also offers a strong supporting programme of keynote speeches, technical seminars, project updates and discussion forums, all of which will be revealed in the coming months. Infrarail will undoubtedly put exhibitors and visitors at the centre of the huge opportunities currently available on the UK’s rail network. Leads will be created, insightful discussions will be had and connections made at London’s Olympia next year. Stand space is now available to be booked at Infrarail 2020. For more details, visit www.infrarail.com.
When we think about where might be one of the worst places to drive in the world, India might may be first to spring to mind. In fact, India’s roads have been named as some of the deadliest and then there’s the chaotic 50-lane motorway that reduces to 20 lanes in Beijing. But rest assured, there are some countries that have built impressive infrastructure to accommodate for great driving conditions. Here’s the top five we’ve explored: Germany – Frankfurt – Autobahn For those among us who love planting the accelerator into the floor panel, Germany exists as the most appealing nation on the planet — all thanks to the Autobahn. Tragically, the reputation the German road network has built itself over the years isn’t exactly one which boasts entire truth. For most of the Autobahn, tempo limits exist, which help aid traffic congestion and prevent serious collisions. Tempos drive down the limit in most parts to 80mph and in some sections even lower, dependent on weather congestions and location. Fortunately, all is not bleak and there is still fun to be had. Outside of the major cities, without the temporary limits, there is no laws, and cars have been known to drive in excess of 200mph — just remember it’s the left lane to overtake! One notable aspect of driving on the Autobahn is the road signs don’t note direction. Unlike the UK, where signs will suggest A1(N) or M8(E), the Autobahn simply consists of numbers, so we would suggest knowing the major destinations on your route before setting off. There is a quick rule of thumb though — if the number is even, it means it goes east or west, and similarly odd goes north and south. Romania – Sibiu – Transfăgărășan Described as the world’s greatest road by Grand Tour presenter and motor enthusiast, Jeremy Clarkson, this highway in Romania sweeps for 150 kilometres, reaching heights at the summit of 2042 metres. The road, which was built in 1974, leads to Balea lake and on both the ascent and descent you are able to indulge in some of the most breath-taking views this world has to offer. Unfortunately, due to weather conditions, the road is usually only open during the summer months, as the top of the path can be subject to heavy snow and fog. What may exist as exhilarating hairpin turns in the summer can be treacherous and ultimately deadly obstacles in the winter. Argentina – Rio Gallegos – Ruta 40 Route 66 in the United States is world-renowned as one of the most sought-after highways to complete a road trip. However, Ruta 40 offers up stiff competition to its North American counterpart. Stretching for more than 3,000 miles, the route crosses the Andes mountain range on 27 different occasions, as well as running through 20 national parks and 18 major rivers. Much of the journey navigates through completely desolate land, but the 5,000m steep journey provides travellers with the opportunity to indulge in some unbelievable attractions, including the Perito Moreno Glacier. Despite the road being built in 1935 and much of it being exposed to extremely harsh weather conditions all year round, the vast majority of the surface remains as smooth tarmac, creating an optimal driving experience. Norway – Molde – Atlantic Road After witnessing the aesthetic beauty of this road in Scandinavia, it will come as no surprise that it has collected a host of awards, ‘including the world’s best road trip’, the ‘world’s best for car testing’, and ‘the world’s best place to mend a broken heart’. The engineering feat which connects a host of small islands and islets, amalgamates land, sea, and sky like nothing else in the world. As you navigate your way along the 8km trek, take in the scenery by stopping at the various look-out points along the way. Scotland – Edinburgh – Queensferry Crossing Built 207m into the sky, the crossing, which was built to precede the Forth Road Bridge, broke numerous Guinness World Records, including the longest continuous concrete pour — 15 days. The bridge, which allows people to commute from Edinburgh to Fyfe, opened on 30th August 2017 and cost the Scottish government £1.3 billion. On average, approximately 77,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day and it proves a vital transport link between England and North Scotland cities, such as Aberdeen. Although existing as the longest three-tower, cable stayed bridge in the world, the Queensferry Crossing took that crown from the bridge beside it, which is also an incredible engineering feat. Bio: piece provided by Vindis: an Audi dealership with years of expertise to help meet your needs when seeking out a new car. Sources https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2015/10/chinas-50-lane-traffic-jam-is-every-commuters-worst-nightmare/409639/ https://www.speedydrive.ae/blog/reasons-dubai-have-the-best-road-infrastructure-in-mena/ https://www.inyourpocket.com/bucharest/The-Transfagarasan-Highway_55534f https://www.theforthbridges.org/queensferry-crossing/ https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/fjord-norway/northwest/activities-and-attractions/atlanticroad/ http://www.turismoruta40.com.ar/en/top-ten-ruta40.html
A prestigious industry award has been secured by the health, safety and environment team behind Manchester Airport’s £1 billion transformation project. Laing O’Rourke’s group was named Team of the Year in the RoSPA Awards, recognising achievement in health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement. As part of he project a giant new pier has been introduced, which connects to Terminal 2 and provides panoramic views of the airfield. The new 216m pier will be used by all airlines currently operating out of T2. It has been built with more than 300 individual panes of glass and is equipped with 11 gates and airbridges, more than 1,400 seats and stylish wayfinding throughout. “It’s a great achievement for the team. The Manchester Airport Transformation project is one of the biggest in the country with an average of £1 million worth of construction happening every day. During 2018, the team focused on creating a strategy based on one of its core principles – ‘Safety is the Presence of Positives’ – placing a priority on being proactive in seeking out opportunities to add resilience to existing processes,” said Andrew Swindells, Laing O’Rourke health, safety & environment manager. “They introduced a number of initiatives that have gone a long way to underpinning the positive standards on site. One of these initiatives led to the life of an operative being saved following a cardiac arrest, with the introduction of both CPR training and multiple project defibrillators signposted in the main work areas,” Andrew added. The Team of the Year Award is part of the new Inspiration Awards category, which recognise individuals, teams and projects that are a source of inspiration and pride. “It’s a huge achievement to be named Team of the Year, and judges were impressed with the standards that have been set for the Manchester Airport project,” commented Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of qualifications, awards and events. “The RoSPA Awards are the most highly-respected in the health and safety arena, with almost 2,000 entrants every year, and allow organisations to prove excellence in the workplace, demonstrating a commitment to the wellbeing of not only employees but all those who interact with it.” The Team of the Year Award is part of the new Inspiration Awards category, which recognises individuals, teams and projects that are a source of inspiration and pride. Laing O’Rourke secured the prize at an awards ceremony in Birmingham on 06 June.
GRAHAM is pleased to announce completion of the new £5.6m Portrush Train Station. The station will be officially opened on 25th June 2019 by Translink. The new station comprises upgrading of the three platforms, with GRAHAM extending the permanent way for Platforms 1 and 2 at the existing station. The station now accommodates 6-car train sets to provide increased capacity. GRAHAM has installed modern facilities, providing enhanced passenger information and a new public address system. The new station also includes increased cycle storage space to encourage active travel and ‘greener’ tourism links. Funding for the station was secured from the Department for Communities (£4.7m) and Department for Infrastructure (£900k+). The new Portrush Train Station has been completed ahead of the 148th Open, Portrush, to be held in the town this July. The event is expected to attract around 190,000 visitors and offers a significant opportunity to sustainably develop the economy of Portrush town and the wider North Coast and will bring substantial benefits to the area in terms of visitor numbers, spend and investment. The new train station is one element of a wider £17m Portrush Regeneration Programme, led by the Department for Communities, which also includes a major public realm and revitalisation scheme for the town. The station is a contemporary design to complement the surrounding public realm works. Jonny Kerr, Contracts Director at GRAHAM, said: “We are very excited to be handing over the completed train station at Portrush to Translink and eagerly await the response from the travelling public to what is a gateway to the town and North Coast. “Portrush is one of Ireland’s most popular seaside resorts. The new station’s increased capacity will allow for further passenger and visitor growth as well as delivering wider economic benefits to the region. Jonny added: “I’d like to thank the project team and all of our partners for their hard work and collaborative approach in delivering this project safely and ahead of schedule and in time for the upcoming 148th Open taking place in the town. This is a proud achievement for GRAHAM and we look forward to seeing the lasting impact this project has for both residents and visitors of Portrush and the wider North Coast for many years to come.” Richard Knox, Translink’s Head of Rail Service Operations, said: “We are delighted to take possession of Portrush Train Station from our contractor, and we look forward to welcoming the public to make use of what is above all their facility. “As Translink continues our journey towards making public transport ‘your first choice for travel’ in Northern Ireland, investments like Portrush Train Station are of critical importance. We are proud of what Portrush Station has to offer the travelling public, and we’re certain that those passing through this summer will be impressed by what they encounter, from modern waiting facilities, improved passenger information and signage to local amenities and attractions, as well as enhanced cycle storage to promote more ‘active’ travel. “We’re looking forward to the official opening of the site later in June, which will mark a formal end to our work on the new station. To mark that event, we’ll be installing a time capsule on-site, complete with contributions from local organisations, to commemorate this eventful year in Portrush’s history, which won’t be completed until 2069. “Portrush Train Station provides a real sense of ‘place’ for the town and is a great gateway for the world to come and see what Portrush has to offer.”
London’s newest station Meridian Water in Enfield, was opened today by Rt Honourable Chris Grayling MP Secretary of State for Transport and Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport. Representatives from Network Rail, Enfield and Haringey councils and Greater Anglia, who will manage the new station, also joined the official opening. Meridian Water is at the heart of a £6bn development of the area being led by Enfield Council which will see 10,000 new homes and the creation of thousands of jobs. It replaces the existing Angel Road station providing improved accessibility for passengers with stairs and lifts providing step-free access across the railway and to the enclosed concourse that features a bespoke golden panel design. The station is part of the Lee Valley Rail Programme and has been delivered by Network Rail and its principal contractor, VolkerFitzpatrick. A package of upgrades to this part of the West Anglia line that runs from Stratford to Meridian Water, include: • 5.5km of new track to enable two more trains per hour to run between Stratford and Meridian Water from this September. • Improvements at Tottenham Hale station including a new platform and a new accessible footbridge with lifts and an escalator, reducing congestion around the station. • Upgrades at Northumberland Park station, including building an additional platform and new step-free footbridge across the railway for passengers and the community. •Refurbishing or replacing several rail bridges, upgrading signals, installing power cables and additional overhead power lines. Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “As part of our commitment to modernise the rail network, I am delighted to announce the opening of the new, state of the art Meridian Water station. “By working closely with Enfield Council and Network Rail, we have provided significant investment to improve this vital rail link, which will allow more people access to the railway and facilitate the council’s plans to increase housing in the area.” Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport, said: “The Lee Valley Rail Programme is an excellent example of how investing in transport directly supports regeneration and growth. “I’m delighted that the GLA and TfL have worked alongside Network Rail and other organisations to fund this important improvement to the West Anglia line, including the new Meridian Water station. These improvements to the transport network will make this part of London an even more appealing place to live, work and visit.” Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “The delivery of the Lee Valley Rail Programme is the culmination of years of hard work. Reducing congestion at busy stations and building a brand new one for the people of Enfield will transform journeys as our network gets busier. “This collaborative programme shows how the rail industry can work together with external partners to fund and deliver rail upgrades that will not only benefit passengers by improving their travelling experience but also benefit the communities where they live through regeneration.” Cllr Nesil Caliskan, The Leader of Enfield Council, said: “Over the last year Meridian Water project has gathered real pace and many of the elements of this £6bn project have coming together. “With the station now open and service improvements to follow we are forging ahead with this scheme, to deliver thousands of new homes and jobs for local people. “We have also selected a developer to deliver the first phase of homes and workspaces with the first completions due in 2022 and we have already started work on the second phase of the development which will be 100 per cent affordable housing. “There will also be fantastic opportunities for local people and businesses to locate their enterprises on excellent sites within Meridian Water which are not due to be developed as part of the wider scheme for a number of years. “The opening of the station – which has been project managed and funded by Enfield Council underpins the whole development and we are very pleased that it will act as a springboard to allow the whole of the project to thrive as well as massively benefiting the existing population of Angel Edmonton.” Martin Moran, Greater Anglia’s Commercial and Customer Service Director, said: “We are very pleased to welcome passengers to Meridian Water station. North London is a region full of potential. It’s an area deserving of investment and improved transport connectivity for the people who live and work there. “The station provides the area with better rail options, initially with weekday peak time direct trains running south to Stratford, enabling connections to London Liverpool Street, and north to Bishops Stortford, for connections to Stansted Airport and Cambridge. “From September 2019 there will be a much better service, including at weekends, as the third track provides the additional capacity that enables us to operate two trains per hour throughout the day between Meridian Water and Stratford. “We are committed to improving rail travel for all customers. By continuing to work in partnership with local authorities, the London Local Enterprise Partnership and Network Rail and other key stakeholders, we believe Meridian Water will have a positive impact. Further benefits will also follow with the introduction of our entire fleet of new trains, which are due to be rolled out across our network, including on Meridian Water services, by the end of 2020.” Northumberland Park has a new platform served by the third track. An accessible footbridge with ramps has also been constructed and opened to facilitate a safe place for passengers to wait for their trains particularly during event days at the nearby stadium on White Hart Lane. The ramps provide an accessible route across the railway for wheelchair users, bicycles and buggies while a lift will be available to serve the new island platform. Tottenham Hale station is a busy interchange between the main line services and the Victoria Line. For that reason, we have built a new accessible footbridge with stairs, lifts and an escalator to ease congestion and provide better passenger flow around the
Structural steel specialists, J & D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd has been named as the steel contractor for the expansion to London City Airport, known as the City Airport Development Programme (CADP). The £500m development programme to London’s most central airport will see J & D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd fabricate and erect the structural steelwork as well as design all the envelope support steelwork, for the East & West Terminal Extensions, modifications to the Main Terminal Building, as well as the East Pier extension for additional aircraft stands and two new Energy Centres. J & D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd are delighted to join the delivery team for this international game-changing development, bringing on-board both their expertise and experience in airport expansion projects. This is the third airport expansion in the last 12 months that J & D Pierce have been awarded, which include Gatwick and Lossiemouth. “This is a great opportunity, and I’m looking forward to seeing the progress and results of this exciting project.” Derek Pierce, Managing Director at J & D Pierce. This remarkable expansion which is scheduled to take 12 months will quadruple the size of the airport by extending the Main Terminal and constructing East & West Terminals, as well as the East Pier creating 1,600 permanent jobs and 500 additional construction jobs. For further information about J&D Pierce, please go to – https://www.jdpierce.co.uk/about/
More than 350,000 trees have been planted by HS2 as part of efforts to create a Green Corridor of trees and wildlife along the route of the new railway. As well as improving connectivity, boosting the economy and unlocking new jobs and opportunities, HS2 will also work for the environment and local communities. The Green Corridor consists of new wildlife habitats, native woodlands and community spaces to help integrate the new railway into its surrounding landscape and environment. Eventually, HS2 will plant seven million new trees and shrubs on Phase One of the railway. More than 40 different species of tree are being grown at a specialist nursery in Lincolnshire, including species that are native to each area that HS2 passes through. In total, 48 habitat mitigation sites have been created along Phase One of the railway, which include trees, grassland, ponds, wildlife refuges, reptile basking banks, and structures for bat and barn owl homes. One of the sites is Decoypond Wood, part of the Bernwood Forest area of Buckinghamshire, where mitigation work has already started. HS2’s enabling works contractor Fusion and their suppliers Forkers are currently completing the planting of over 1,000 trees at the site. This has been designed to create a new flight path for a rare species of bat known as the Bechstein’s Bat which is native to this area. Further north on the route, on the banks of the River Tame in the north of Coleshill in Warwickshire, HS2’s landscape architects WSP and early works contractor LM JV have recently finished a new wildlife habitat which contains a mix of grassland and wetland areas, providing a home in which the endangered water vole can thrive. In addition to the mitigation works, HS2 has a number of different funds, projects and partnerships designed specifically to support the environment and communities. Community and Environment Funds and Business and Local Economy Funds have seen £2.5m awarded across 47 projects in 14 constituencies. Among the successful bids was Forest Enterprise England who secured £450,000 CEF funding towards the creation of a visitors hub at Wendover Woods which it is hoped will attract 420,000 visitors and £4.3m into the rural economy each year. Work is also taking place in the Colne Valley and Chilterns Area of Natural Beauty where a £3m fund has been set up in each area by HS2 to deliver individual environmental projects. In the Colne Valley, 12 projects have already been funded worth over £800,000. Additionally, £1 million has been allocated through the HS2 Woodland Fund, which will see 18 projects deliver 85ha of new woodland and 50ha of ancient woodland restoration. Peter Miller, HS2 Environment Director, said: “Our ecological work is really important in reducing our environmental footprint and minimising the expected impact of our construction work. “Green Corridor and the various funds we are making available along Phase One of the route have seen our work on the ground accelerate over the last 12 months as we prepare for the main works. “This will continue and people can expect to see new sites developed in the years to come and the gradual emergence of the new Green Corridor along the route.” Watch the HS2 Green Corridor film here
Transport Minister Andrew Jones MP, visited Birmingham today to see how works are progressing at the region’s main HS2 sites. As one of the most intensive construction sections along the 140 mile London to Birmingham section of the route, the West Midlands is set to benefit from two brand new stations and an infrastructure maintenance depot, creating jobs and opportunities for local people now and into the future. Work at the city-centre based Curzon Street site has transformed the area in preparation for Birmingham’s brand new HS2 station: The site spans 25,000 square metres, and 20,000 tonnes of concrete have been broken up, crushed and ready be re-used on site. Two building are being demolished at the site of the former Unite student accommodation which covers an area of 3,000 square metres. This will yield around 30,000 tonnes of material, with works being undertaken by the Birmingham-based demolitions firm, DSM. The extensive archaeology programme on site is already revealing facts about the development of Birmingham, and archaeology works will continue into the summer. Signs that Birmingham is getting HS2-ready continue 2.5 miles away in Washwood Heath, as another local Midlands firm Total Reclaims Demolition makes way for HS2’s new train maintenance depot: The immense old site of the Alstom Rail Depot is 110,282 square metres – the size of 15 football pitches – and will yield 412,000 tonnes of material that will be recycled. With 50,000 hours of labour required to clear the site, the team is now 75% of the way through the work programme. Situated in the heart of one of Birmingham’s most deprived wards and constituencies, the site has been neglected for almost 15 years. The new depot will play a pivotal role in regenerating the area, and once complete over 500 jobs will provide opportunities for local people. Through HS2 Ltd’s supply chain, twelve local residents have already been supported into jobs through early works contractor LM-JV and security firm Servest. They are playing a crucial role in ensuring that safety standards are maintained at HS2’s work sites right across the West Midlands. Birmingham based LM, a joint venture of Laing O’Rourke and J Murphy & Sons Ltd, has been working on behalf of HS2, paving the way for the new high speed line. Work over an 80 km trace across the West Midlands has included route clearance and ecological habitat creation as well as demolition works. Fifteen miles further afield, in the borough of Solihull, vegetation clearance works and trenching have now been carried out at the triangular-shaped site which will be home to the brand new Interchange station site. Transport Minister Andrew Jones MP said: “HS2 is an incredible project that will transform our railway network, boosting capacity on our busiest lines, better connecting Birmingham with large cities across the country and building the Midlands Engine. “The scale of works happening in Birmingham show the huge progress being made on HS2; they also show first-hand the fantastic jobs and opportunities HS2 is providing people across the country; I cannot wait to see the results of further construction, and for this vital railway to become a reality.” Mark Thurston, HS2 Ltd’s CEO said: “Curzon Street will be the cornerstone of the new railway, putting Birmingham at the heart of the network. The transformation around this area demonstrates exactly how Britain’s new high-speed railway will drive forward regeneration and economic growth across the West Midlands. “Across Phase One, we’ve now carried out environmental and ecological mitigation works, utility diversions, archaeology, demolition and land clearance works, all of which are drawing to a close ready for major construction works starting later this year.” Paul Faulkner, CEO of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce said: “HS2 is already playing a huge part of the Midlands’ success story, and when completed will add £14 billion to the West Midlands economy, supporting 100,000 jobs. Hundreds of Midlands businesses are already supporting the project, and there are more opportunities for firms across the region as the programme progresses.” Photo caption: L-R Liam Evans (LMJV) Christina Wallace (HS2), Argiro Alexandri (HS2), Andrew Jones MP, Paul Faulkner (Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce), Richard Kirkham (LMJV),
The £373m project to upgrade the M1 in Northamptonshire to a smart motorway continues to make progress, with local contractor Mick George Ltd now appointed to complete verge enabling works in a £31m contract. Under the programme, the 23-mile section of M1 between junctions 13 and 16 will be upgraded to an all-lane running smart motorway, providing a continuous smart motorway from the M25 all the way through to junction 19 at Catthorpe. The scheme, operated by Costain / Galliford Try joint venture on behalf of Highways England is thought to be vital in easing congestion on this stretch of motorway, which passes through Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, connecting Bedford, Milton Keynes and Northampton. Consequently, this key arterial route in England will offer increased capacity and more reliable journey times for the hundreds-of-thousands of people that use the M1 every day. Forecast to be complete in March 2022, the initiative is thought to offer approximate benefits valued at £959m to the local economy, though boosting productivity and supporting future housing developments. The programme of works between junction 13 and junction 16 includes; the installation of a rigid concrete barrier to avert vehicle cross-overs from opposite sides of the carriageway, upgrading to four lanes running with no hard shoulder, as well as the fitting of 38 new emergency areas and emergency roadside telephones. Additional improvements include hardening of the central reserve and the formation of wide gantries to support variable speed limit and travel information. Michael George, Managing Director at Mick George Ltd commented: ‘’The award of this contract is an exciting one for the business as it represents the first opportunity for us to display our Earthworks services in a live highways environment.’’ George continued: ‘’We’re currently providing some of our other contracting provisions to another significant highways project on the A14 Huntingdon to Cambridge scheme, and the fact that we’ve been selected to contribute towards this project in tandem, is a testament to the qualities we’ve produced elsewhere.’’