FROM HS2

We’re writing to let you know about some planned works that we will be carrying out in your local area.
Extended hours for TBM material storage:

Our Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) have started their journey from the West Ruislip Portal to Greenpark Way Ventilation Shaft as part of the construction of the new HS2 line linking Euston to Birmingham. They have not yet reached their full operating speed but are now producing more material as they dig.

The soil is currently being moved from our West Ruislip portal site by lorries via road. In 2023, this output will be transported by a conveyor running from the portal to our Southern Sustainable Placement Area (SSPA).

From 19 December 2022 to 8 January 2023, we will be extending our working hours on our site near MSD building north of the Chiltern Line railway, west of Breakspear Road South from 7am to 10pm, Monday through Saturday. This is an extension of our core working hours of 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

From 9 January to 31 March 2023, the TBM material will be delivered 24/7 to our sites near MSD building north of the Chiltern Line railway and to Gate 1 on Harvil Road.

These works will pause over the Christmas period and resume in the new year.

For further information please see our works notification.

https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/extended-hours-for-tbm-material-storage/

Delivering tunnel segments to West Ruislip by Rail:

From January 2023, tunnel segments will be delivered by rail to our newly built siding at our West Ruislip site. This will mean lorries are removed from roads in the local area, although we will have to continue with lorry deliveries in the short term until we have built up a stockpile of segments.

One train will arrive at West Ruislip each night delivering 20 rings, each comprising seven segments.

These works will pause over the Christmas period and resume in the new year.

For further information please see our works notification.

https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/delivering-tunnel-segments-to-west-ruislip-by-rail/

What we are doing

Update
Our Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) have started their journeys from the West Ruislip Portal to Greenpark Way Ventilation Shaft as part of the construction of the new HS2 line linking Euston to Birmingham.

Each TBM operates as a self-contained underground factory – digging the tunnel, lining it with concrete wall segments and putting them into place. Segments are delivered on a 24/7 basis to our West Ruislip Portal site by lorries, stored on site and are continuously supplied to the TBMs as they advance to ensure that the tunnel is properly supported.

In the last few months, we have been constructing the rail siding for these segments to be delivered by train to decrease the number of lorries on local roads. The train can only run at night because of the volume of trains running on the Chiltern Line during the day.

In early January 2023, we will test the rail siding before we start regular deliveries at night. This will allow us to monitor noise levels and understand what further noise mitigation measures we can put in place. The test will be carried out during the week commencing 9th January 2023.

We would like to apologise in advance for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause. Every effort is being taken to ensure that these works are carried out in the least impactful way.

How the segment deliveries by train might affect you

From January 2023, tunnel segments will be delivered by rail to our newly built siding at our West Ruislip site. This will mean lorries are removed from roads in the local area, although we will have to continue with lorry deliveries in the short term until we have built up a stockpile of segments.

One train will arrive at West Ruislip each night delivering 20 rings, each comprising seven segments.

Limited space on the Chiltern Line through West Ruislip means that our train can only deliver segments at night. It will arrive at West Ruislip station at around 11pm. The locomotive will then divide the train into two parts and move them into the siding. The locomotive will then shut down while the gantry crane unloads the segments. The locomotive will restart at around 6am, shunt the train back into one piece, prior to departure at around 7am.

During the unloading process, the locomotive engine will be shut down. It will only start up again shortly before its departure in order to build up brake pressure.

We will ensure that adequate noise monitoring and noise mitigation measures are in place. The HS2 Helpdesk will be available 24/7 and will have a direct link to the site engagement team to ensure immediate investigation and resolution of any queries or complaints that may be made day or night.

We would like to apologise in advance for the disruption or inconvenience this may cause. Every effort is being taken to ensure that these works are carried out in the least impactful way. We will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.
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