The publication of Sir Peter Hendy’s Union Connectivity Review is recognition of the incredibly important role of rail – and of high speed rail – in providing much needed connectivity benefits across the UK. High Speed Rail Group welcome the planned creation of UKNET – a strategic approach to development Read more…
If today’s announcements had come from a standing start, the industry would doubtless have been pleased with the investment. But the reality is they represent a reduction in the previous plans for both HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. HS2 is the single most important infrastructure project in the UK for 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…
Music producer and rail enthusiast Pete Waterman visited HS2’s Long Itchington Wood Tunnel site in Warwickshire to unveil the name of HS2’s first tunnel boring machine (TBM) on the northern section of Phase One. During a ceremony on the construction site, which is managed by HS2 joint venture Balfour Beatty VINCI, Pete revealed that Read more…
This is a submission from the HSRG to the consultation on Transport for the North’s (TfN) Decarbonisation Strategy. The submission highlights the role of high speed rail and HS2 in decarbonising the transport system including across the TfN area and how HS2 should be harnessed to achieve modal shift – 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…