HS2 has unveiled the use of an innovative onboard robot that will improve safety and efficiency on the high speed rail project’s first two giant tunnelling machines, set to launch early next year. Pioneered by HS2’s main works contractor, and HSRG member Align – the Krokodyl robot is the first Read more…
The contract for the first two giant tunnelling machines for London’s HS2 tunnels has been signed with main works civils contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG JV (SCS JV) – a mark of the significant progress being made on the southern stretch of HS2. The tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are being built Read more…
Recognising the need for action, in June 2019 the UK Government committed to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2050. This is hugely important, but now we need to ensure that this ambition is realised – with organisations playing a huge role in the efforts to successfully Read more…
High Speed Rail Group has submitted a proposal to this year’s Comprehensive Spending Review calling for Government to fund a Deliverability Study to explore the options and proposals to connect Scotland to HS2. This would reduce journey times from London to Scotland to close to three hours, decarbonise the journey, Read more…
It has taken a while for HS2 service plans to focus on Carlisle as the right place to divide and join Glasgow/Edinburgh high-speed train portions. Earlier plans used Carstairs – and left Carlisle with no HS2 London service. HSR Group wants to see Governments in Westminster and Holyrood work together Read more…
Responding to the announcement that HS2 is set to commence full construction, High Speed Rail Group (HSRG) commented: “HS2 is the most significant infrastructure project in a generation and will be a flagship programme as the nation seeks to build back better from Covid-19. “Industry will redouble our efforts to Read more…
Our latest report calls on the Government to commit to decarbonising Britain’s railways by 2040 by making a “transformative investment” in a national high speed rail network. Responding to the Department for Transport’s consultation: Decarbonising Transport: Setting the Challenge outlines how as a new, zero carbon transport spine for Britain, HS2 Read more…
The Costain Skanska joint venture (CSjv) team, working in partnership with HS2, has shared details of its legacy programme that has created vast numbers of local jobs, invested in SMEs and challenged the stereotypical diversity of a construction project. These outcomes known under the term ‘Social Value’ support the long-term wellbeing and resilience of individuals, communities, and society in general.
Costain Skanska’s social value activities have included partnering with Buses for Homeless (B4H), a social enterprise which aims to get homeless people off the street and into full time sustainable employment and accommodation. B4H refurbishes decommissioned London buses into spaces suitable for their guests to live and takes them through an intensive 12-week training programme. The site set up includes separate buses for sleeping; cooking and eating; learning; and wellness and therapy.
Speaking of the initiative, Dan Atkins, Founder of Buses 4 Homeless said: (more…)
Sustainability and resilience have never been more important in transport infrastructure than now. The ambition for a megaproject such as HS2 has always been to build the most sustainable railway of its type in the world. Representing companies with relevant experience and an interest in high speed rail, the High Speed Rail Group is acutely aware of the challenges to industry that the government’s net zero carbon target brings. As part of its commitment to managing carbon footprint, HS2 has also set ambitious targets for its supply chain to minimise the whole life carbon emissions of its assets including buildings. For stations this includes achieving net zero carbon in operation for regulated emissions and achieving a 50 per cent reduction in whole life carbon emissions against a baseline for a typical station.
Arup has produced a design for HS2’s new Interchange station, to be built near Solihull and the NEC in the West Midlands. The station will be one of the best-connected places in the UK, with customers (more…)
The High Speed Rail Group exisits to promote the economic, social and environmental benefits of a HSR network in the UK, and we continue to make the case for the rail and infrastructure sector as high-quality places to work – by promoting best practice on employment, diversity, sustainability and wellbeing. Read more…