Latest HS2 updates

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Headlines – There are currently 3-Way Traffic Lights near the junction of Breakspear Road South and Fine Bush Lane in place from 28/10 to 02/11, the River Pinn Realignment works now have a new completion date of 15/11 plus a new date for the Road Closures at Night at Skip Lane over 2 Phases between 30/11 and 04/12 (Phase 1) and 07/12 and 08/12 (Phase 2 Contingency Shift). There are also newly agreed dates for works to close Harvil Road by the new Chiltern Bridge at Night over 4 consecutive Saturday Nights between 23/11 and 14/12, and 6
·  Ongoing Breakspear Road South junction Fine Bush Lane 3-Way Traffic Lights (Mon 28/10 to Sat 02/11 – Daytime only 8am to 6pm)
·  Updated River Pinn Realignment and Footpath & Footbridge Construction – new completion date of 15/11(requested)
From 23/05 to 02/11 HS2/SCS will be carrying out the River Pinn Realignment works. This will involve installing a new Footbridge which will reconnect the U45, U47 and U46 Public Rights of Way and create a new footpath to replace the existing U47.
The scope of works includes:
The installation of a Dam and over pumping system to create a dry working environment for the Realignment of a section of the River Pinn
The formation of a new channel along the consented route for the River Realignment. This will include all the necessary aquatic features and measures being taken to preserve existing wildlife in the River
The construction of a new Footpath along the Realigned River course and installation of permanent drainage outlets
The installation of the new Footbridge structure over the new River channel to connect the U45, U46 and U47 Public Rights of Way will now not happen during these works but will be done at a later date.
Update 30/10 – with the heavy rainfall that has been on and off over the past couple of months there have been lots of delays to these works caused by having to remove the Dam and Overpumping on several occasions due to the increased rainfall. There is currently a Consent in place with the Environment Agency (EA) for these works until early November but HS2/SCS think it will take a further couple of weeks to complete the works and will be requesting a further extension from the EA until the 15/11.
·  Updated SCS Noise Barrier Testing near Breakspear Road South – June to ? (extended beyond October 2024)
There will be Noise Barrier testing from late June to the end of October for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week within the HS2/SCS Site to the west of the entrance off Breakspear Road South (please note this was originally scheduled to start on 28/05). Noise Barrier Testing commenced on 27/06 with the Generator and Actuator Instrument being used 24/7 to test the piles and the ground around them in the 1st Phase of testing.
A temporary embankment has been constructed in the area where Noise Barriers have been installed and the structural integrity will be tested. The scope of the testing is to confirm that the pile foundation and the structure will not have any significant changes due to Trains passing the Noise Barrier.
The anticipated level of noise impact is expected to be minimal and will include the use of a generator which will power the instrument that will simulate the movement of the trains passing (the generator will be covered in acoustic barriers to minimise the noise).
 The Trains using the HS2 Railway will not likely stop at night so the 24/7 testing is critical to simulate actual stress and strain on the Noise Barrier similar to the operational requirements and in reducing the duration of the test. This is fundamental to assuring Noise Barrier compliance.
 Update 30/10 – LBH are seeking clarification from HS2/SCS of when the Noise Barrier Testing will be extended until and will update us/you once confirmed.
Southern Sustainable Placement Area (SSPA) – Updated Works Programme
 HS2/SCS have now confirmed the Works Programme going forward on the SSPA Site (located between Harvil Road and Breakspear Rd South). As of Oct 2024 the placement of material is complete on all of the Mounds (1, 2 and 3). This means that the Vibration Rolling as part of the placement of material is also completed.
 The next stages are landscaping of the Mounds which will involve the use of excavators, dozers and tractors but should be much quieter than when placing the material and the Vibration Rolling that was required to do that. The landscaping on the SSPA is programmed to be completed by summer 2025 at present. All works on the Mounds at present are Core Working Hours Only (Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm & Sat 8am to 1pm) until further notice.
 Please note that this information is subject to change but this will be communicated if this happens:
Future Planned Works New Harvil Road at New Chiltern Line Bridge – Night Time Road Closures over 4 Saturday Nights 23/11, 30/11, 07/12 & 14/12 (9pm to 6am) New Dates Road Closure of Skip Lane for Surveys of Utilities & Drainage – 10pm to 5am over 2 Phases between 30/11 and 04/12 (Phase 1) and 07/12 and 08/12 (Phase 2 Contingency Shift). ·  Breakspear Rd South – Road Closure under Railway Bridge for Culvert Replacement – Sat 05/04/25 to Sun 27/04