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 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…
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…
The Costain-Skanska Joint Venture (CSjv), who are delivering the HS2 Enabling Works programme in West London, have refurbished and donated a disused bus to Old Oak Primary School and Bubble & Squeak which will be used by children from the school and the local community as an alternative learning environment 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…