Network Rail is actively seeking construction and engineering partners for its ambitious £1.4 billion Midlands Rail Hub Alliance, a transformative project poised to reshape rail travel in the heart of England. Embark on a journey into the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance, an extraordinary initiative set to revolutionise rail connectivity and
HS2’s first giant tunnelling machine – which launched almost 3 years ago – broke through today at the end of her 10-mile (16km) journey under the Chilterns, excavating the longest tunnel on the ambitious new rail project. The enormous 2,000 tonne Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), named ‘Florence’, is one of
Former service personnel from the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force are receiving support to transition into new careers on HS2, Britain’s biggest build. 83 former service men and women have already moved into full-time roles on the project, with over 60 more taking up industry
Buckinghamshire Council this week gave the green light for HS2’s state-of-the-art maintenance hub, which will bring around 300 jobs to Calvert in Buckinghamshire. Taking its inspiration from the style of local agricultural buildings and the industrial heritage of the area, the Infrastructure Maintenance Depot (IMD) will house the people and
A £8.6m Woodside Ferry Terminal upgrade is set to start as part of a major project between the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Wirral Council to turn the area into a ‘vibrant and unique waterfront destination’. The upgrade is being made possible by Levelling Up funding from Wirral Council,
HS2’s London tunnels programme passed a major milestone as the third tunnel boring machine (TBM) being used as part of the project was launched. TBM Emily, named after Emily Sophia Taylor who helped establish the Perivale Maternity Hospital in 1937 before becoming Ealing’s first female mayor in 1938, will be
More than £20m will be invested to improve the Metrolink network over the next 12 months, to ensure services remain safe and reliable for years to come. The UK’s largest light rail network has 99 stops across 64 miles of track – more than 700 million journeys have been made
The East Coast Digital Programme has taken a big step forward with the renewal of infrastructure successfully commissioned that now enables the Welwyn to Hitchin (W2H) ETCS overlay to be tested and proven, with engineers having worked around the clock between 17-20 February. W2H is Britain’s first instance of infrastructure
New research shows that the future arrival of HS2 in the West Midlands is already driving huge investor confidence in the region, with data pointing to an economic uplift of £10billion over the next 10 years. Economic analysis of the areas close to HS2’s three hubs in the West Midlands
HS2 has moved the first huge viaduct section into place over the motorway network in North Warwickshire, marking a milestone for the project’s Delta Junction as HS2 reaches peak construction in the region. Contractors working for HS2 have used a specialist push-pull technique to move the 84 metre, 300 tonne
Network Rail is actively seeking construction and engineering partners for its ambitious £1.4 billion Midlands Rail Hub Alliance, a transformative project poised to reshape rail travel in the heart of England. Embark on a journey into the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance, an extraordinary initiative set to revolutionise rail connectivity and economic prosperity across the region. Explore the key advancements and innovations that promise to bring unprecedented efficiency and growth. Picture a future where the pulse of England resonates with the smooth glide of trains along modernised tracks, fostering connectivity and driving economic expansion. Network Rail is set to realise this vision through a monumental £1.4 billion project that aims to overhaul the railway infrastructure in the Midlands. The Midlands Rail Hub Alliance represents a pivotal moment in the region’s transportation evolution, heralding an era of elevated connectivity and economic advancement. A Revolutionary Partnership More than just an infrastructure endeavour, the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance is a bold initiative reshaping the future of rail travel in the Midlands. Network Rail, in collaboration with a consortium of multidisciplinary partners, leads this ambitious venture. Together, they are crafting a series of enhancements, including new platforms and sidings, the introduction of up to two new chords into Birmingham Moor Street, and the expansion of an existing viaduct. But the transformation doesn’t end there. Upgrades to the power supply, new freight loops, and the implementation of new overhead line equipment (OLE) are also on the agenda. These changes, coupled with comprehensive signalling works, promise to optimise operations like never before. Innovative Collaboration through Alliance Contracts At the heart of this monumental undertaking is a commitment to collaboration and efficiency, epitomised by the use of a modified NR35 alliance contract. Built on the NEC4 alliance contract framework, this strategic move aims to cultivate a sense of cooperation and shared responsibility among all involved parties. By entering into a single alliance contract, Network Rail and its partners commit to working together, ensuring precision and harmony in every aspect of the project. This innovative approach not only sets a new standard for project management but also underscores the collective dedication to achieving a common goal: a revitalised and thriving Midlands rail network. Navigating Towards Progress As the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance gains momentum, the project’s impact extends beyond the tracks. This endeavour is about more than just enhancing railway infrastructure; it’s about unlocking the region’s full potential. Improved connectivity signifies more than just reduced travel times; it represents strengthened local economies, increased accessibility for communities, and a greener, more sustainable mode of transportation. By laying the foundation for a modernised rail system, Network Rail and its allies are not just reshaping the Midlands landscape; they’re paving the way for a brighter, more interconnected future. The road ahead is marked with challenges and opportunities, but one thing is certain: the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance serves as a beacon of progress and innovation. As we gaze towards the horizon, the commitment to a revitalised rail network inspires hope and anticipation for the transformative future that lies ahead. For more details on this groundbreaking project and its mission to redefine travel in the Midlands, please visit the official Network Rail website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2’s first giant tunnelling machine – which launched almost 3 years ago – broke through today at the end of her 10-mile (16km) journey under the Chilterns, excavating the longest tunnel on the ambitious new rail project. The enormous 2,000 tonne Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), named ‘Florence’, is one of 10 machines excavating the 32 miles of tunnel on the new railway linking London Euston with Birmingham and was the first to launch, in May 2021. The breakthrough is a major milestone for the HS2 project, which will almost halve journey times between Britain’s two largest cities, while freeing up space for more local services on the most crowded part of the existing West Coast Main Line. Two identical TBMs were used to create the twin-bore Chiltern tunnel, which stretches from the South Portal near the M25 to South Heath in Buckinghamshire. Parallel tunnels will carry north and south bound trains with a second TBM, named ‘Cecilia’, due to breakthrough in the coming weeks. Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “This ground-breaking moment for HS2 demonstrates significant progress on the country’s largest infrastructure project, with ‘Florence’ paving the way for faster, greener journeys between London and Birmingham while supporting hundreds of jobs and apprenticeships along the way. “Today’s breakthrough of HS2’s longest tunnel highlights the momentum behind the project and the achievement is testament to the hard work and dedication of the 450-strong team helping deliver the line that will transform rail travel for generations to come.” Designed specifically for the geology under the Chilterns, each TBM is an underground factory – excavating the tunnel, lining it with 56,000 pre-cast concrete segments and grouting them into place as it moves forward at an average speed of 16m per day. Four similar TBMs are being used for the London approach tunnels, while another two will work on Birmingham’s Bromford tunnel. Preparations are also underway for the launch of two more machines to excavate the Euston tunnels. The breakthrough comes a week after HS2 published new research which shows how the impending arrival of high speed rail will drive a £10 billion economic boost for the West Midlands during the next 10 years, with a huge increase in new development around the two station sites. HS2 Ltd Executive Chairman, Sir Jon Thompson, said: “Today is an incredible day of HS2 and I’d like to thank the hundreds of people who’ve worked so hard over many years to make it happen. Once complete, HS2 will dramatically improve journeys between our two largest cities and also free up space on the existing mainline for more local trains. “We’ve still got a lot of work to do, but historic moments like today really underline the huge amount of progress that’s been made and the fantastic engineering skills we have on the project.” Both machines launched from the South Portal and are operated by HS2’s main works contractor, Align – a joint venture formed of three international infrastructure companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick. The machines are made by TBM specialists Herrenknecht, in Germany. Each TBM is operated by a crew of around 17 people, working in shifts to keep the machines running 24/7. They are supported by over 100 people on the surface, managing the logistics and maintaining the smooth progress of the tunnelling operation. In total, more than 450 people have worked on the tunnels and in support teams on the surface over the last 3 years. This includes a dedicated team which produced 112,000 precision-engineered, fibre-reinforced concrete tunnel wall segments at a purpose build temporary factory at the South Portal who completed their work just before Christmas – and a team processing the spoil from the tunnels. Align’s Project Director, Daniel Altier said: “The typical drive for a TBM is 5-6km and therefore the challenges in completing at 16km drive should not be underestimated. “Florence and her sister TBM Cecilia were designed in partnership with Herrenknecht. They incorporate a number of innovations and technologies that have been introduced on TBMs in the UK for the first time, to enhance performance and safety. This includes ‘semi-continuous boring’, allowing our TBMs to build the rings that line the tunnels without pausing. “The mining of the tunnel is a fantastic achievement for not only the Align tunnelling team but also the earthworks team who have managed chalk excavated from the tunnels and placed on site, along with many other supporting functions. I would also like to acknowledge our supply chain partners, including TGT that provided the teams to operate the TBMs and MS with whom we designed and operated the slurry treatment plant, with 24 filter presses it is the largest in the world.’” The 3 million cubic metres of chalk and other material removed during the tunnelling is being used to create an ambitious grassland restoration project at the south portal, which will include 127 hectares of new landscaping, wildlife habitat and biodiverse chalk grassland. The chalk, which is pumped back through the tunnel in a slurry mixed with water, is processed at a slurry treatment plant at the south portal site where the flint is removed and water extracted before it can be reused in landscaping. Chalk grassland – a type of calcareous grassland – is habitat of international conservation importance mainly found on limestone and chalk valleys of south-east England and the Isle of Wight. Lime-rich, but low in nutrients, the thin soil holds little water and heats up quickly. These conditions encourage a huge variety of smaller herbs and wildflowers and over 40 species can be found in one square metre of grassland, including some of the UK’s rarest orchids and invertebrates. Only 700 hectares of chalk grassland exist across the whole of the Chilterns AONB. At its deepest point, the tunnel is 80m beneath the Chilterns and passes under the M25, local railway lines and twice under the River Misbourne. Extensive water quality, groundwater level and surface water flow monitoring was put in place prior to the start of construction, and
Former service personnel from the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force are receiving support to transition into new careers on HS2, Britain’s biggest build. 83 former service men and women have already moved into full-time roles on the project, with over 60 more taking up industry placements and hundreds benefiting from mentoring to support their adjustment to life outside of military service. The scale and complexity of HS2’s construction requires a diverse workforce with a broad range of skills and talents. By teaming up with community interest company BuildForce, HS2 has opened the doors to its 350 worksites and given ex-forces personnel an opportunity to apply their transitional skills in a completely different setting. HS2’s civils construction partners have all embraced the partnership with BuildForce, going the extra mile to provide mentors, coaching and wrap around support services to promote mental health and wellbeing. The transitional nature of HS2’s work placement programme, as a stepping stone into employment, has to date seen candidates progress into logistics, engineering, health and safety and project management roles, with some candidates progressing into senior management positions. HS2’s Head of Legacy, Natalie Penrose explains: “We’re committed to supporting our ex-service men and women and value the huge contribution they are already making to the delivery of Britain’s new railway. “As we begin the transition from civils to rail, more new jobs will be created at HS2 and within our supply chain, and we’re confident the ex-forces community will continue to play an important role.” Andrew Mackinnon served in the Royal Air Force as an IT security specialist but on leaving military service, he struggled to find employment that matched his skillset. Andrew approached BuildForce for support and they referred him directly to Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), HS2’s construction partner for the West Midlands. Recognising Andrew’s valuable skills, the BBV team offered Andrew a paid work placement, which he began in November 2023. Now three months into his role, Andrew is a valued member of the BBV Innovation team, where he focuses on implementing new work processes and driving efficiencies across the project. Andrew commented: “Joining Balfour Beatty VINCI marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in my career, after leaving the Royal Air Force last year. I’m really enjoying working on this iconic infrastructure project, which I feel is the perfect platform to relaunch my career from. The transition has been made much easier thanks to the support I’ve received from Buildforce and BBV throughout this entire process.” Speaking about the HS2 partnership, Caroline Logan, Programme Director at BuildForce said: “The depth of the skillsets within our military community is constantly responding to the changing needs of HS2 and we look forward to the future, supporting more ex-military candidates onto the project.” With three new world-class stations to be built, there are hundreds more career and work placement opportunities to come on HS2. Ex-forces personnel interested in finding out more are invited to attend an exclusive project day at HS2’s giant superhub station in Old Oak Common, West London. HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA is hosting the event, in partnership with BuildForce, to provide a behind the scenes tour and greater understanding of the breadth of careers available. For further information and to register for the event, which takes place on 24 April, visit https://www.buildforce.org.uk/events/buildforce-armed-forces-project-day-with-hs2-joint-venture-balfour-beatty-vinci-systra-bbvs/For information about careers and opportunities on HS2, visit hs2.org.uk/careers Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Buckinghamshire Council this week gave the green light for HS2’s state-of-the-art maintenance hub, which will bring around 300 jobs to Calvert in Buckinghamshire. Taking its inspiration from the style of local agricultural buildings and the industrial heritage of the area, the Infrastructure Maintenance Depot (IMD) will house the people and equipment that will keep HS2 running smoothly and efficiently, day in, day out. The approval is a major milestone for HS2 – which will almost halve journey times between Britain’s two largest cities, while freeing up space for more local services on the most crowded part of the existing West Coast Main Line. Approved under schedule 17 of the HS2 Act, the depot will be halfway between the villages of Calvert and Steeple Claydon. It will include workshops, offices, storage and training facilities as well as a base for the British Transport Police. The main buildings will be clad with naturally aging red brick – as a nod to the Calvert brickworks which operated throughout most of the twentieth century before closing in 1991. Gently curved roofs, timber and low-reflection metal finishes will also help to reduce the visual impact of the buildings. During the design process, the size of the depot area has been cut by 33% with the track layout reduced and simplified in order to speed up construction and cut disruption for the community. This smaller footprint also means that there will be 600,000 cubic metres less excavation required. Recent design work has also increased the amount of landscaping and new woodland planting that will screen the depot from Steeple Claydon, with around 15,000 trees and 20,000 shrubs set to be planted amid new woodland paths, ponds and other wildlife habitats. Iain Smith, HS2 Ltd’s Systems Delivery Director said: “Once complete, HS2 will dramatically improve journeys between our two largest cities and also free up space on the existing mainline for more local and freight trains. “The maintenance depot at Calvert will be at the heart of the HS2 project – keeping the new railway running smoothly every day and supporting around 300 jobs. It’s great to get the green light for the design, and we look forward to making the vision a reality.” Sustainability is at the heart of the design. The Calvert IMD will achieve a minimum of BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, under the world’s leading sustainability assessment method. Materials have been carefully selected for the building and landscaped areas; for their appearance, low maintenance and longevity, as well as low-carbon, sustainable considerations. The depot will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with landscaping to block noise and light. A fleet of dedicated On-Track Maintenance trains will be based at the depot, accessing the mainline at night – while the HS2 trains are not running – to maintain the track and systems. Connections to East-West Rail (EWR) – which passes to the south of the site – will also allow heavy equipment and materials to be delivered to the depot by rail. To reduce disruption for the community and speed up construction, HS2 contractors also built two bridges, one underpass and 3.4km of adjacent earthworks for EWR where the two projects cross. Addison Road and Gawcott Road are both now reopen. The depot was designed by HS2’s design contractor WSP, working with architects Grimshaw and Grant Associates. The earthworks and landscaping are being delivered by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB, a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall. A separate contractor will be appointed to build the depot. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A £8.6m Woodside Ferry Terminal upgrade is set to start as part of a major project between the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Wirral Council to turn the area into a ‘vibrant and unique waterfront destination’. The upgrade is being made possible by Levelling Up funding from Wirral Council, which is currently consulting on a £23m Masterplan to breathe new life into the area. The terminal is set to reopen from summer 2025 following complex engineering work to install a new landing stage and linkspan bridge. It follows a multi-million-pound modernisation of Seacombe Ferry Terminal, supported by a £7m investment from Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Combined Authority, which completed in October 2022. The Woodside scheme is part of a wider investment to secure the future of the iconic tourist attraction. In December last year, Mayor Rotheram signed a £26m contract with nearby Birkenhead shipyard Cammell Laird to build the first new Mersey Ferry in 60 years. Cllr Steve Foulkes, Chair of the Liverpool Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “The Woodside Ferry Terminal was constructed in 1985, it’s almost 40 years old and in need of modernisation so we’re able to keep up with the needs of a growing and diverse population. This is a great opportunity for us to improve the area for residents however, it’s also a prime time to start encouraging even more tourists to explore the other side of the water by bringing Mersey Ferries back to the area and restoring the service between Woodside and Pier Head, improving the transport links for residents and visitors alike.” Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paul Stuart, said: “We’re excited about the next stage of plans to develop the Woodside Ferry Terminal. This latest regeneration will include developing the space from Argyle Street/Conway Street roundabout down to the Terminal and include improving the landscaping around the area. It will also create more accessible walking and cycling spaces and better connections between the Central Birkenhead retail area and the Waterfront, for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users.“In addition to the plans which are to be delivered over the next couple of years, part of the process in drafting the masterplan has been to generate new ideas to be implemented in the longer term such as the extra-large floating pontoon or a historic ship in the dock as part of a visitor attraction. The consultation, which is open now, is giving everyone to the chance to view these proposals and have their say and we’re encouraging everyone to take part.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2’s London tunnels programme passed a major milestone as the third tunnel boring machine (TBM) being used as part of the project was launched. TBM Emily, named after Emily Sophia Taylor who helped establish the Perivale Maternity Hospital in 1937 before becoming Ealing’s first female mayor in 1938, will be used to dig almost half of the 8.4-mile Northolt Tunnel. She will bore 3.4 miles under Ealing from Victoria Road Crossover Box, near HS2’s new Old Oak Common station, to Greenpark Way in Greenford. HS2’s London Tunnels contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, assembled the TBM underground at the Victoria Road site after being lifted in parts and lowered into a shaft. Manufactured by world-leading tunnelling experts, Herrenknecht in Germany, TBM Emily weighs 1,700 tonnes and has a 9.11m diameter cutterhead. The TBM is an earth pressure balance machine, which is designed specifically for the soft London clay that will be extracted from the ground. Speaking about the next TBM launching in London for HS2, Malcolm Codling, project Client Director, HS2 Ltd, said: “We are working at peak construction on HS2, delivering the tunnels which HS2 trains will travel through under London. The preparation to launch TBM Emily has been complex and we remain on schedule to complete the Northolt Tunnel in 2025.” The Northolt Tunnel will carry HS2 trains in and out of London – extending between the new Old Oak Common superhub and the outskirts of the capital at West Ruislip. The twin-bore tunnel is being built in two sections. Two TBMs, named Sushila and Caroline, are already constructing it eastward between West Ruislip and Greenford. Another two – Emily and Anne – are being used to dig the tunnel in the opposite direction from Victoria Road Crossover Box to Greenford. Emily and Anne’s tunnel drive will cover 3.4 miles of the tunnel in total – slightly less than those being used on the other section. Emily was launched today and Anne – the fourth and final Northolt TBM – will launch next month. The quartet of TBMs are all set to complete their journeys in 2025, when they will be extracted from the ground through giant shafts at Greenpark Way. The London Clay, that will be extracted to build the tunnel, will be taken away from Victoria Road Crossover Box by conveyor, and taken to the London Logistics Hub at Willesden Euro Terminal. From there, it will be taken by rail and reused at sites in Cambridgeshire, Kent and Rugby. James Richardson, Managing Director of Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV), said: “The HS2 London Tunnels team are well on the way to delivering a new railway into the heart of London with the launch of TBM Emily. Next month, we will be launching TBM Anne who together with Emily will form the tunnel from old Oak Common to Greenpark Way Shaft where they will meet with TBMs Sushila and Caroline, who are already halfway to completing their journeys from West Ruislip.” HS2 is also making progress on preparations on the separate tunnel between Old Oak Common and Euston – the line’s ultimate central London terminus. The Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel breakthrough in January. The logistics tunnel is runs from the Old Oak Common Station box to Atlas Road logistics site and will facilitate the tunnelling operation to construct the Euston Tunnel. Two further TBMs will be delivered to Old Oak Common later this year, and placed into the underground box, ready to begin boring the Euston Tunnel. Following the Government’s Network North announcement in October last year, the funding and delivery arrangements for the Euston Tunnel are being reviewed. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than £20m will be invested to improve the Metrolink network over the next 12 months, to ensure services remain safe and reliable for years to come. The UK’s largest light rail network has 99 stops across 64 miles of track – more than 700 million journeys have been made on the trams since opening in 1992. The £21.4m funding – from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) – will ensure the network keeps on delivering safe, reliable and accessible services for millions more people into the future. Approved by the Bee Network committee on Thursday, the work is part of a planned £147m package to maintain, upgrade and improve the network up to 2027. Immediate priorities for this summer include track replacement in several parts of the city centre, including Piccadilly Gardens and London Road, and on parts of the Altrincham and Bury Lines. This will mean quicker, smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers. Plans also include a programme of modifications to the trams themselves, installing state-of-the art systems to keep passengers safe. These include sensors in the middle of double trams and speed warning devices. New electrical substations are being added along parts of the Bury Line, providing additional power so that more doubles trams run in future. Metrolink is also replacing much of the communications network critical to the operation of its signalling and control systems. TfGM is also looking into the replacement of overhead lines on some of the older parts of the network such as the Bury Line, which caused several prolonged disruptions in 2023. Long-term benefits to passengers include better reliability and an improved experience for customers. The work will mean some short-term disruption, which will be planned to minimise inconvenience to passengers. Information about service changes and replacement bus services will be available well in advance of the work. Metrolink passenger numbers are back to pre-pandemic levels during the weekday peak times and even busier on weekends. With 130,000 journeys on an average weekday, work on the network is planned carefully to keep disruption to a minimum. Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said: “Metrolink is an integral part of the Bee Network, and it’s really important that we invest in it so that we can continue to provide a safe, reliable and positive experience for the thousands of people who travel with us every day. “This is a coordinated package of planned works to maintain, renew and improve the network and help to keep Greater Manchester moving, and while we understand any disruption can be frustrating, we’ll be doing everything we can to keep it to a minimum. “We will make sure passengers know what’s happening well in advance and I’d ask people to please bear with us while the works are carried out, as the benefits will be there to be enjoyed for years to come.” Upcoming works include: Further works are planned to take place throughout this – and subsequent – years. For full details of tram improvement works planned for this year, visit tfgm.com/tram-improvement-works Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The East Coast Digital Programme has taken a big step forward with the renewal of infrastructure successfully commissioned that now enables the Welwyn to Hitchin (W2H) ETCS overlay to be tested and proven, with engineers having worked around the clock between 17-20 February. W2H is Britain’s first instance of infrastructure commissioning towards a ‘no signals’ intercity mainline. The overlay is a critical part of ECDP’s delivery plan. To achieve the end goal of a ‘no signals’ railway on the southern part of the East Coast Main Line, it is necessary to create a section of the route that can be operated with both conventional and digital signalling. Drivers from all ECML operators will progressively be trained to drive in ETCS through the W2H overlay. Once all fleets are upgraded and all drivers trained, the progressive roll out of digital signalling throughout ECML (South) can rapidly follow. The W2H overlay will be a key enabler not just for ECDP but for the wider roll out of ETCS across the GB network. W2H commissioning has involved a ‘lite’ resignalling in preparation for system proving of the ETCS system. A new proving desk and Radio Block Centre will be put in place in York ROC, to enable the first overnight proving trains to operate from spring 2024. It is expected that migration to ETCS operations on passenger and freight services through the overlay section will begin in 2025. The W2H resignalling lite has included existing assets moving to Westrace Trackside System equipment, introducing three new Trackguard Westlock interlockings and associated infrastructure, trackside fringe alterations at Hatfield, Biggleswade, Hertford and Letchworth, and renewing the existing train detection with axle counters. Power works took place in the form of introduction of three new principal supply point feeders and replacing seven existing 650v feeders. Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor for the East Coast Digital Programme, said: “This is a major milestone for the project and I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved in reaching this point. The East Coast Digital Programme will deliver major upgrades for passengers as they travel by train in the future. “To reach this point and to implement digital signalling on the East Coast Main Line has meant a huge amount of collaboration between Network Rail, train operators, and other rail industry stakeholders through our unique industry partnership. “While commissioning Welwyn to Hitchin is a key enabler for the East Coast Digital Programme, it is also a significant step towards the rollout of digital signalling across the network.” Ben Lane, Project Director for Siemens Mobility & Infrastructure Sector Lead ECDP, said: “This delivery is a great testament of the 500+ tenacious people we had on various sites that ensured the safe completion of this programme of works. We can now start a period of system proving, getting us closer to a ‘no signals’ digital railway that will reduce future renewals and maintenances costs, improve reliability for passenger and freight services on the route and provide better return on investment of taxpayers’ money.” A spokesperson on behalf of passenger train operators said: “Our teams have been working hard over the last four days to keep passengers on the move and to get them to their destination as quickly as possible. “We know that changes to services are never ideal and we want to thank our passengers for their patience while Network Rail carried out this vital work.” Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General, Rail Freight Group, said: “It is great to see real progress being made in ETCS development on the East Coast Main Line, with collaboration between freight operating companies, Network Rail and other partners ensuring that the solutions work for rail freight customers. This is a key step towards full deployment and we look forward to seeing further progress in coming months.” The first stage of ECDP is the Northern City Line (NCL) pathfinder project. This also involves an overlay between Finsbury Park and Moorgate on which Great Northern drivers are progressively being trained to drive in ETCS. After a series of proving runs and regulatory approvals, the first digitally signalled passenger train operated in November 2023. Currently around a quarter of NCL trains are being operated in ETCS and it is expected that the NCL will be a ‘no signals’ railway from early 2025. The NCL pathfinder is enabling the ECDP to ‘learn by doing’ and the experience being gained by the cross-industry collaboration will be invaluable to the effective delivery of digital signalling on the mainline, starting with W2H. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New research shows that the future arrival of HS2 in the West Midlands is already driving huge investor confidence in the region, with data pointing to an economic uplift of £10billion over the next 10 years. Economic analysis of the areas close to HS2’s three hubs in the West Midlands – Curzon Street Station in central Birmingham, Interchange Station in Solihull, and the Washwood Heath Depot and Network Integrated Control Centre – shows dramatic increases in regeneration and investment in the last six years. Since Royal Assent was granted for the railway in 2017, the number of planning applications seen in a 1.5 mile radius around these three major HS2 hubs has increased by two-thirds. Over the same timescale, the area of total planned floorspace – including commercial and residential – has increased by 200%, and the planned number of new homes has increased by almost 500% – from 10,000 to 55,000 homes. According to independent research commissioned by HS2, this increase in investment activity far outstrips any rises in planned development outside of HS2’s impact zones and has occurred despite economic shocks caused by the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate of increase in planned housing within HS2’s impact area has been 14 times greater than elsewhere in the region, with the uplift in total planned floorspace over four times greater. Since 2017, the construction value of major new projects in HS2’s three impact zones has increased by 240% – from £4.5bn to £15.4bn. This is further evidence of increased investment and activity around the three HS2 hubs. This building boom is contrary to activity outside of HS2’s impact zones, where the construction value of new planned projects has decreased by 16% in the same period – from £19.3bn to £16.3bn. The numbers and values of projects since 2017 are also much higher compared to an equivalent period before HS2 was given the green light in Parliament. Within its three impact zones, it is estimated that HS2 will be responsible for the generation of 41,000 additional homes, 704,000 square metres of new floorspace and 30,835 new jobs. Putting this in the context of the whole country, since 2017 the West Midlands has been the highest performing attractor of inward investment outside London and the South East, with the number of projects it attracted in 2022/23 second only to the capital. Sir Jon Thompson, Executive Chair at HS2 Ltd said: “This new research provides evidence that HS2’s future arrival is already driving transformational regeneration and investment in the West Midlands. It shows that investor appetite, regeneration and investment close to where we’re building our three key assets in the region has surged in the last six years. “Driven by the promise of enhanced connectivity and heightened investor confidence, HS2’s arrival is spreading prosperity and opportunity to the communities it touches for generations to come.” Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This research demonstrates that HS2 has delivered substantial investment and development opportunities in our region in recent years. “Whether it’s urban regeneration, improved local transport connections, increased housing provision and of course new jobs, HS2 is benefitting local people, businesses and our wider economy. “It’s vital that local people see the tangible benefits of major schemes like this.” Regeneration in places like Digbeth, Washwood Heath and Birmingham Eastside is already clear to see, with multi-million-pound development projects set to deliver new homes, venues, offices, public spaces and leisure facilities. Digbeth Loc. Studios is the brainchild of writer, director and Peaky Blinders creator, Steven Knight. In partnership with TIME + SPACE, a specialist asset management company who are developing the studios, he is converting 80,000 sq. ft of abandoned Victorian and industrial buildings into a cutting-edge film and TV studio and flexible workspace venue. The studios aim to generate 760 local employment opportunities, fostering the growth of the next wave of creative talent. Steven Knight CBE said: “As a proud Brummie, it’s brilliant to see that the tide is turning in Digbeth, with creative businesses, animators, agencies and filmmakers creating a community and drawing investment and talent out of London. “The upcoming arrival of HS2, and the transformational connectivity it will bring has no doubt accelerated this renaissance. I can’t think of anywhere in the world I’d prefer to set up Digbeth Loc. Studios. “I look forward to creating world class films and television here, working alongside local crews and telling our stories to the world. With plans underway for thousands of new homes, tram extensions, better leisure facilities, the best is yet to come.” Located in the centre of Birmingham, and on the northern edge of the city’s £1.2 billon Paradise development, that is bringing ten new commercial buildings to the heart of the city, the 49-storey residential Octagon development features 370 Build to Rent apartments and will stand 155 metres tall, making it the city’s tallest building. The scheme is backed by global real estate investor City Developments Limited (CDL) of Singapore and is designed by local firm Howells Architects. Developed by MEPC and delivered by contractor Midgard, Octagon is due to complete in 2025, setting a new standard for UK residential development in a regional setting. Ross Fittall, Commercial Director at MEPC – the firm leading Birmingham’s Paradise redevelopment, said: “Construction of this key development is well underway and marks an essential part of the £1.2 billion mixed-use Paradise masterplan that includes up to ten new buildings alongside the city’s civic heart. Every day we move closer to the completion of a unique, world-class landmark for Birmingham as part of this wider investment. “There’s no doubt that the arrival of HS2 is having a significant influence on the increase in large-scale commercial and residential development investment, bringing high quality commercial, residential and leisure facilities to the city.” At HS2’s Interchange Station site in Solihull, Arden Cross is one of the UK’s most significant regeneration opportunities, with links to Birmingham International railway station, the NEC and Birmingham Airport. The 140-hectare site will support
HS2 has moved the first huge viaduct section into place over the motorway network in North Warwickshire, marking a milestone for the project’s Delta Junction as HS2 reaches peak construction in the region. Contractors working for HS2 have used a specialist push-pull technique to move the 84 metre, 300 tonne steel viaduct section into place over the westbound link road between the M6 and M42 near Coleshill. This is the first of two moves to install the deck for HS2’s ‘East Link Viaduct’, which is part of the triangular Delta Junction. The second operation in April will create the full 158 metre long composite deck over both westbound and eastbound motorway link roads. Further work, including in-situ concrete deck works and parapets installation will be undertaken to complete the structure. It was delivered by specialist steelwork company Victor Buyck Steel Construction (VBSC), working on behalf of HS2’s main works contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV). Using a push-pull jacking system which gives greater flexibility during the launch operation, it was the first time VBSC have used their specially designed technique in the UK. The team completed the move ahead of schedule in a total of 11.5 hours during a weekend closure of the motorway link roads. Working in close collaboration with National Highways, the roads were re-opened at 2.35am on Sunday morning. Before the end of this year, a similar two-stage operation will move the identical ‘West Link Viaduct’ which runs parallel to the East Link Viaduct. This section of the triangular Delta Junction enables high speed trains to travel between London, Interchange Station in Solihull and Birmingham Curzon Street Station. Stephen Powell, Head of Delivery – Area North at HS2 Ltd said: “Building the East Link Viaduct in the Delta Junction is not only a key milestone for the HS2 project in the Midlands but is also critical to our earthworks mass haul strategy to keep construction traffic off the local roads. “While we continue to construct HS2 in this area, it will provide a crossing route over the highway for construction vehicles to move excavated material from the Bromford Tunnel to other work sites in the Delta Junction, removing thousands of lorry movements from the local road network.” Alex Staines, Sub Agent – Composite Structures at Balfour Beatty VINCI said: “Delivering this milestone is a really proud moment for me and the team. We’ve worked very closely with our partners National Highways to make sure that this activity was delivered safely and efficiently. “By using an innovative launching technique, we were able to build the viaduct deck offline and move it into position over a weekend closure of the highway, greatly reducing the impact on road users.” Tibo Suvée, Project Manager at Victor Buyck Steel Construction said: “Our team were pleased to deliver this successful operation, which was the first time our push-pull jacking system has been used in the UK. The technique provides greater flexibility during the launching operation by allowing the bridge to be moved backwards or both ways if needed. “This is really the first milestone of four, and over the next eight months we look forward to delivering the second launch of the East Link Viaduct and the same two-stage operation for the West Link Viaduct, which will complete these first viaducts on Delta Junction.” National Highways Senior Network Planner, Frank Bird, said: “This has been a complex and collaborative effort to both minimise disruption for people using our roads but also enabling this engineering feat to take place. “We are pleased with how smoothly the operation went and are grateful to road users for their patience while this ambitious work took place.” The first launch takes the viaduct section to its halfway position over the westbound link road. Following completion of the first launch, three further steel girders will be welded to the back of the first structure, and 40 precast slabs will be installed on top of the girders. In April, this entire structure, weighing 1,100 tonnes will then be moved to its final position over both westbound and eastbound motorway link roads. The Delta Junction is made up of embankments, cuttings and a total of 13 viaducts taking high speed tracks over motorways, local roads, existing rail lines, rivers and floodplains. The viaducts include 6 precast segmental viaducts, 4 composite viaducts and 3 low viaducts. The layout of the Delta Junction triangle means the railway from London curves west on a spur towards Birmingham Curzon Street Station. As trains come out of Birmingham, the line heads north to meet the main HS2 line, which will then connect to the West Coast Main Line to Manchester. The third side of the triangle allows trains to run between London and Manchester without stopping at Birmingham. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
