We welcome the announcement of the HS2 rolling stock contract to the Hitachi/Alstom JV as a huge step forward for the project. The contract will see the construction of the first 54 HS2 trains at factories in County Durham, Derby and Crewe, creating 2,500 skilled jobs. The HS2 trains will offer Read more…
The first tunnel boring machine (TBM) in the Midlands has now been launched, brought in to dig a one-mile tunnel under Long Itchington Wood in Warwickshire as part of Phase 1 of the HS2 project. The TBM is named ‘Dorothy’ after Dorothy Hodgkin, who in 1964 became the first British Read more…
HS2’s construction partner for the West Midlands – Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) – has announced it has hundreds of new jobs to fill across its supply chain. With local job vacancies ranging from apprenticeships, to site operatives and office-based support roles, BBV is encouraging residents to step forward and consider Read more…
In preparation for the construction of the northern section of HS2’s Phase One route between London and the West Midlands, main works civils contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) have successfully demolished a disused bridge in Saltley near Birmingham. The Heartlands Parkway bridge originally connected the A47 with a nearby industrial Read more…
HS2’s Main Works Civils Contractor, Costain Skanska STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV), has awarded its second contract for the production of precast tunnel segments to STRABAG, who have announced they will be opening the facility in Hartlepool to fulfil the contract. STRABAG will be providing 36,000 segments for the twin bored Read more…
An open letter to the Prime Minister, regarding the importance of HS2’s Eastern leg, from HSRG and the Railway Industry Association: Dear Prime Minister Last year you rightly committed your government to deliver HS2 in full. You did so because you understood it is the UK’s most important infrastructure project Read more…
Our High Speed Rail Apprentice Network is made up of apprentices and graduates from across the HS2 project and its contractors, and the wider HSR industry. The network provides the opportunity for networking, meeting other apprentices and sharing experiences and best practice. The network’s Podcast Series – called High Speed Tales gives apprentices the Read more…
We spoke to Ben Duncumb, a Demolition Apprentice working for Keltbray: Can you describe your role in a few words? I am learning new methods for demolition, including how things are done correctly and to high industry standards. What were you doing prior to this? Prior to my apprenticeship I Read more…
A new railhead near the village of Calvert has been opened which will help HS2 continue to deliver construction material by rail to its biggest Buckinghamshire site without putting extra lorries on local roads. The new railhead – the second to be built at Calvert – will allow HS2 to Read more…
Work has now begun to excavate the first of five shafts that will provide ventilation and emergency access to HS2’s ten-mile long tunnels under the Chiltern Hills. The structure was designed by HS2 Ltd’s main works contractor Align JV, made up of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick Read more…