Night time activity at West Ruislip

From HS2

HS2 Works Notification:

Rail segment delivery and siding test at West Ruislip Portal site

We’re writing to update you on some planned works that we will be carrying out in your area.

In December we told you about overnight deliveries of tunnel segments by train to the West Ruislip site.

At that time, we expected the deliveries to start from 9 January, but they are now due to start from 16 January 2023.

Please see details of the works here:

https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/rail-siding-test-and-segment-delivery-to-west-ruislip-portal-site/

Our work is subject to change – for live traffic information go-to one.network and please check on-the-road signs.

We have constructed a rail siding at the West Ruislip site for these segments to be delivered by train. We are now ready to test the rail siding, which will help to ensure that our system works and to allow us to monitor noise levels.

We plan to carry out the first test on the night of Monday 16 January 2023, with a subsequent test on the night of Wednesday 18 January. If these tests are successful, we plan to run the train five nights each week although there may be periods when this extends to seven days. We will notify you of any changes before they happen.

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. We will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

How the segment delivery by train might affect you

From January 2023, these segments will be delivered by rail to our newly built siding at the West Ruislip site.

One train will arrive at West Ruislip each night delivering 20 rings, each comprising of 7 segments. There will be a slight overlap and we will continue with lorry deliveries in the short term until we have built up a stockpile of segments. That will mean 45 lorries are removed from roads in the local area.

The volume of rail traffic on the Chiltern Line, through West Ruislip, means that our train can only deliver segments at night. Our train will arrive at West Ruislip station around 11pm. The locomotive will then divide the train into two parts and shunt them into the siding. Our 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. Most of the time the trains are at our West Ruislip site they will be stationary while they are being unloaded.

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

We will ensure that adequate noise monitoring is in place. We will provide 24/7 engagement coverage via the HS2 Helpdesk to our site to ensure immediate investigation and resolution of any queries or complaints that may be made.

HS2 virtual one-on-ones next Monday

From HS2

Event Notification: Virtual one to ones for Hillingdon and Northolt  

We’re writing to let you know about some virtual one to one sessions we will be hosting.    

We are holding virtual one to one sessions for residents and businesses in Hillingdon and Northolt. They are an opportunity for you to ask questions about the project and the works in these areas. HS2 and their contractors would like to invite you to book an appointment. The 15-minute appointments are available on: Monday 16 January, from 4pm to 7pm

When registering, please specify your area of interest and postcode. Topics available include:
Works in your area
Highways and traffic
Noise and vibration
Utility works
Community engagement
Other (please let us know if you have other queries)

Book here: https://www.hs2.org.uk/events/49804/

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.

Hercies and Harvil road works

This may not directly affect Ickenham, but worth noting:

Notices on Hercies Road warn of 13 weeks of roadworks by Cadent Gas, possibly from Auriol Drive to Sweetcroft Lane, due to start 9th or 11th Jan. Traffic control by traffic lights. Delays possible.

If you have a safety concern about our equipment (e.g. barriers, signs or cones), please call a member of the team (Cadent – non-emergency 0800 389 8000).
Smell Gas? Call 0800 111 999

LBH:
Works ref: AZ5021001144870
Permit ref: AZ5021001144870-02
Current status: Advanced planning


And a reminder from HS2 re Harvil Road:

HS2 Works Notification: Closures on Harvil Road for utility and construction works

We’re writing to let you know about some planned works that we will be carrying out in your area.

Works are ongoing at Harvil Road to facilitate the road realignment.

In the last couple of months, we have been carrying out utility and construction works to build the new Skip Lane junction. We will continue with these works until February 2023.

Most of the works on the carriageways will be restricted to lane closures monitored by temporary traffic lights. However, in order to ensure that these works can be carried out safely, a road closure will be required to construct the new asphalt to match the level of the current highway from 30 January to 19 February 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.

We will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

Please see details of the works here: http://https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/closures-on-harvil-road-for-utility-and-construction-works-2/

Epic HS2 update – part 2

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.
• Use our in your area map to search current and planned HS2 works, developments and opportunities in your area.
• Visit your local community webpages to find information about HS2 works and developments in your area.

Epic HS2 update – part 1


from HS2
We are writing to update you on some planned works in your local area.

Tunnelling in Hillingdon:
Our tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have begun their tunnelling journey to construct tunnels under Hillingdon. We expect TBM Sushila constructing the Birmingham tunnel to have passed under Ickenham Close by mid-December, with TBM Caroline in the same location in January.

The tunnel boring machines will stop for maintenance between 23 December 2022 and 4 January 2023. We will resume tunnelling on 5 January and expect TBM Sushila to pass under the Metropolitan line towards the end of January.

What we are doing
Tunnels construction so far
Our tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have begun their tunnelling journey to construct tunnels under Hillingdon. We expect TBM Sushila constructing the Birmingham tunnel to have passed under Ickenham Close by mid-December, with TBM Caroline in the same location in January.

What to expect
The tunnel boring machines will stop for maintenance between 23 December 2022 and 4 January 2023. We will resume tunnelling on 5 January and expect TBM Sushila to pass under the Metropolitan line towards the end of January.
Properties potentially affected by ground movement from tunnelling will already be aware of eligibility for a building condition survey. Our Land and Property team will write to eligible properties with information on how to book a survey. See the table below outlining when you can expect to receive this letter.
Early January 2023 – Herlwyn Avenue
Early February 2023 – Lawn Close, Almond Close, Roundways, West End Road and New Pond Parade
Please book your condition survey as soon as possible after you receive your letter. We will also send you a reminder letter approximately four weeks in advance of tunnelling nearby. Our Land and Property team will be out and about with the community engagement team. It may be possible to book a survey appointment at that time.

Keeping you updated
We will provide updates on the TBMs’ location at https://www.hs2.org.uk/in-your-area/map/
As tunnelling progresses eastwards towards Herlwyn Avenue, Lawn Close and Almond Close, Roundways, West End Road and New Pond Parade, our community engagement team will keep you regularly updated before the TBM is nearby and will follow up after it has passed, which will be no more than a few days.

How we are managing the impacts of tunnelling
TBMs are the best method for safely excavating tunnels of this type because they build the tunnel as they dig. This reduces the risk of settlement (the way ground moves around a hole after it has been dug) and minimises potential for any damage to nearby properties. The TBMs will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until the construction of the tunnel is complete.

Continuous tunnelling by TBMs has been used successfully on major projects such as Crossrail, Thames Tideway and the Northern Line Extension. Extensive knowledge and data gathered from tunnelling in similar conditions enables us to predict ground-borne noise and vibration levels. Our assessments did not predict significant ground-borne noise and vibration impacts. However, it may be possible to hear a low-level sound from the TBMs during quieter periods of time. It is unlikely vibration from tunnelling will cause damage to nearby buildings.


We will be closely monitoring tunnelling progress and will keep you updated on when it is likely that the TBMs will be passing nearby. The duration should be no more than a few days near any one property.

Monitoring taking place during tunnelling
We have installed specialist equipment along the tunnelling route to monitor ground movements before, during and after construction. The surveying team will be out and about in Hillingdon to take regular readings from the studs located in the pavements or to take readings from the equipment mounted on buildings. You may see members of the team assembling a tripod to mount monitoring equipment in order to take readings. This activity will be quiet, for a short duration and will not affect access to footpaths and driveways. We apologise in advance should this activity inconvenience or disturb you.
How are properties protected from the potential impact of our tunnelling works?

  • There are legal provisions under the HS2 Act to provide protection should any damage occur from HS2 tunnelling works or excavations.
  • Eligible properties within 30 metres of the tunnel route are entitled to a Settlement Deed, a formal legal agreement between HS2 and the property owner.
  • HS2 will be responsible for paying for any property repairs related to its works, whether the property owner holds a deed or not.
  • If your property is within the 10mm settlement zone (the area which may experience some ground movement after tunnelling), you will have been contacted three months in advance of tunnelling nearby to arrange a building condition survey. The purpose of the survey is to capture the condition of your property as close as possible to the time when tunnelling will take place.
  • If, during or following tunnelling, you believe that damage has occurred, you can contact us to let us know. As part of the assessment of a damage claim, a second comparison survey of a property may be undertaken. You can contact the HS2 Helpdesk on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
    more info

https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/tunnelling-in-hillingdon/

Greenway allotments/Harvil site works

From HS2:

1 HS2 Works Notification: Thames Water Works update

We are writing to update you on the Thames Water works on the allotments near The Greenway in Ickenham.

We are progressing well with our work on the allotments, and now need to bring the new sewer into use. To ensure this work is completed by Christmas, we need to work weekends from 3 – 18 December 2022.

2 Notification
Extended hours for the construction of the TBM treatment area
We are writing to update you on our works at our Gate 1 site.

What we are doing
Works are ongoing at our Gate 1 site on Harvil Road, to build the TBM material treatment area. Some of these works will need to take place during extended working hours.
We will use this area to treat the soil that will be removed from the West Ruislip portal tunnels before it is placed in its final location.

Our preparation to build the TBM material treatment area is progressing. We will start working on the construction of the treatment area from 11 December 2022 until 28 May 2023. Some of these works will need to take place during extended working hours.

We will use this area to treat the soil that will be removed from the West Ruislip portal tunnels before it is placed in its final location.

These works will pause on 23 December 2022 and restart on 3 January 2023.

For further information please see our works notification. https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/extended-hours-for-the-construction-of-the-tbm-treatment-area/

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.

We will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

Duration of works
11 December 2022 to 28 May 2023
Monday to Sunday 8am to 6pm
We may be on site for an hour before the start and/or end of the shift

What to expect
Extended working hours for portions of the work
Additional staff on site outside of core hours

What we will do
Continue to monitor our working methods and minimise disruption to the local community
Advise our staff to be mindful of our neighbours

HS2 operatives’ car park at West Ruislip

From HS2

Car park construction at Ruislip Golf Course

We’re writing to let you know about some planned works that we will be carrying out at Ruislip Golf Course.

From 12 December 2022 to 28 January 2023, we will be carrying out work to construct a new car park for staff in the Ruislip Golf Course.

This has been approved by the London Borough of Hillingdon to assist with the reduction of operatives parking on local streets.

The car park will be in place throughout the duration of the construction project and will be restored as part as the golf course redesign.

We will be stripping away the topsoil and replacing it with a thin layer of stone.

These works will pause on 23 December 2022 and restart on 3 January 2023.

For further information please see our works notification. https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/car-park-construction-at-ruislip-golf-course/

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. We will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

HS2 tunnel spoil plans

FROM HS2

We’re writing to let you know about some planned works that we will be carrying out in the Harvil Road area.

From 1 December 2022 to April 2023, we will begin to store TBM materials on the southern area of the Copthall Covert within our site boundary at Gate 1 on Harvil Road.

We will store and treat the soil that will be removed from the tunnels before they are placed in their final destination.

For further information please see our works notification update. https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/tbm-material-storage-on-harvil-road/

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.

We will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

Tunnel segment deliveries to West Ruislip 24/7

from HS2

HS2 Works Notification: Update: Tunnel segment deliveries to West Ruislip 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

We’re writing to let you know about some planned works that we will be carrying out in your area.

We wrote to you recently to let you know about the launch of the newly assembled Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) at the West Ruislip Portal site.

Both TBMs have now launched and are working their way towards Greenpark Way (Ealing), which we expect them to get there in June 2024.

With the TBMs now fully operational, we need to increase the deliveries of tunnel segments to the West Ruislip site. This will mean deliveries at night as well as during the day from Thursday 10 November onwards.

For further information please see our works notification. https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/update-tunnel-segment-deliveries-to-west-ruislip-24-hours-a-day-7-days-a-week/

Duration of works
Late September 2022 to June 2024
The tunnelling and site support activities will be 24/7
Deliveries of the tunnel segments will increase to 24/7

What to expect
Increase of staff on site outside core hours
Activities associated with the tunnelling work, including removal of
excavated material, supply of materials and maintenance of tunnelling equipment

What we will do
Advise our staff to be mindful of our neighbours

Harvil Road lane closure

from HS2

HS2 Works Notification: Update on utility and construction works on Harvil Road

We’re writing to let you know about some planned works that we will be carrying out in your area.

In August we wrote to you to let you know that we plan to complete major utility diversion works and realign a section of Harvil Road from 30 August 2022 to 5 September 2023.

We need to carry out some additional work during the school half term, from 24 to 29 October 2022. We will relocate one of our site entrances to help facilitate the Harvil Road realignment.

These works will require a lane closure.

For further information please see our update works notification.

https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/update-on-utility-and-construction-works-on-harvil-road/

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.

Your utility services will not be affected.