Category Archives: Transport

Get your MP to support an HS2 rethink?

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From The Wildlife Trusts:

Many people are concerned about the serious risk HS2 poses to nature. Last year we were extremely disappointed when the Department for Transport confirmed HS2 would go ahead, without any acknowledgement of the devastating impact on our wildlife.

But now we have another chance. Thanks to a petition launched by Chris Packham, Parliament is about to debate whether to rethink HS2. This is a real opportunity, and we want as many MPs as possible to speak up for nature. Will you invite your MP to save the date and stand up for nature? We’ve created a simple form to help you:

Ask your MP to speak up

HS2 is currently the best example of how NOT to deliver national infrastructure projects, and will leave nature in a worse state for the next generation. At a time when nature has never been more in need of protection and restoration, it is unthinkable that HS2 is destroying whole ecosystems.

Please ask your MP to support the HS2 parliamentary debate and speak up for nature. You can use our simple form to send an email to your MP.

Thank you to the many Ickenham residents who provide ongoing support. Together, we can make a difference for nature.

Nikki

Nikki Williams
Director: Campaigning and Communities
The Wildlife Trusts

Tunneling info’

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From HS2:

We will be hosting two webinars as well as virtual one to one sessions on tunnelling in Hillingdon in September. The webinars will include information on the design of the tunnels, construction methods and operation of the HS2 railway. There will also be a live Q&A session at the end of each webinar.

Webinar – Wednesday 1 September: https://www.hs2.org.uk/events/online-event-hs2-tunnelling-in-hillingdon/
One to one sessions – Thursday 2 September: https://www.hs2.org.uk/events/one-to-one-virtual-events-hs2-tunnelling-in-hillingdon/
Webinar – Tuesday 14 September: https://www.hs2.org.uk/events/online-event-hs2-tunnelling-in-hillingdon-2/
One to one sessions – Thursday 16 September: https://www.hs2.org.uk/events/one-to-one-virtual-events-hs2-tunnelling-in-hillingdon-2/

HS2 work updates

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From HS2:

Update: Weekend works at West Ruislip site entrance

What we are doing
We wrote to you July to advise you that weekend works would be taking place on the 7 and 8 August 2021. Due to issues with asphalt delivery, we will now be carrying out repair works to the existing access from the bell mouth junction off Ickenham High Road at the West Ruislip site entrance this weekend, 21 and 22 August.

If asphalt needs to be cut, this will be carried out on Friday 20 August, within normal working hours in order to minimise noise at the weekend.

Once the repairs have been undertaken, new asphalt will be laid, compacted and road markings will be reinstated.
Duration of works 21 and 22 August 2021
From 8am to 6 pm on both days

What to expect
Road planers, breakers, excavators and JCB vehicles will be used to remove the concrete and then asphalt delivery lorries and rollers to reinstate and compact the new road surface

What we will do
Sweep roads to remove any debris. Carry out noisy works outside of the weekend

More info: https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/update-weekend-works-at-west-ruislip-site-entrance/

Upcoming works at our site on Breakspear Road South

Duration of works From 30 August to December 2021
From 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays where required
We may be on site an hour before the start and/or the end of each shift

What to expect
Delivery and set up of equipment and plant such as cranes, piling rigs and stone column delivery vehicles

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

Upcoming works
Works are ongoing at our site to build the new bridge over Breakspear Road South and the River Pinn. From the 30 August 2021, we will be carrying out the following activities:
• Pile breakdown on both sides of the road
• Installation of stone column foundations for the embankments
• Removal of the current foot bridge over the River Pinn
• Installation of the temporary haul road over the River Pinn
• Completion of the temporary car park
• Installation of sheet piles either side of the road to support abutment work.
• Excavation of the foundations on the embankment which will be replaced with granular material to the bridge alignment
• Start of work to build the bridge abutments

We will continue to monitor noise, dust and vibration throughout our works and ensure that measures are in place to minimise disruption.

There is a separate notification for the diversion of the Celandine Way as it passes underneath our works.

Upcoming works
Activity Start date and Estimated end date:
Remove old U46 footbridge w/c 27 Sept – 15 Oct
Install haul road bridge w/c 04 Oct – 28 Nov
Car Park Works ongoing – 20 Sept
Pile breakdown (Breakspear Road South Underbridge) w/c 23 Aug (west abutment) – 15 Oct (east abutment)
Gatemead stone column foundation test area w/c 30 Aug – 19 Nov
Sheet piling for Breakspear Road South- East abutment w/c 13 Sept – 24 Sept
Raised embankments w/c 22 Nov – Mid 2022
Bridge abutments W/C 11Oct – 22 Nov
• Footbridge removal – existing U46 structure removed and River Pinn protected.
• Haul road – once River Pinn protected a temporary heavy-duty bridge constructed for lorry haul road.
• Car Park – relocation for staff vehicles that are currently on the HS2 route alignment.
• Pile breakdown – removal of excess concrete from the bored piles to the bridge abutments.
• Stone column – different form of foundation construction to the embankments.
• Sheet piling – Temporary steel sheet piling that will allow work to either side of the road on the abutments.
• Raised embankments – on the approaches to the bridges the route alignment will be built up with compacted granular material.
• Bridge abutments – abutments are part of the substructure on either side of the road that will provide support to the superstructure (deck) of the bridge
https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/upcoming-works-at-our-site-on-breakspear-road-south/

Harvil Road lane closure

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from HS2

We wrote to you in May to advise you that we would be carrying out utility connections along Harvil Road to facilitate the construction of the road realignment. From Monday 16th August 2021, we will start the next phase of these works which will continue until the end of September 2021. There will be temporary traffic changes to ensure the work zone is safe. The northbound lane will be closed between the Dogs Trust and north of the railway bridge. This may affect travel times on Harvil Road. There will be no changes to any of the other roads as you travel through the rest of the area.

Duration of works
From 17 May to 30 September 2021
Monday to Friday 8am and 6pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm
Extended hours on • Saturday 22 and 29 May and 5, 12 and 19 June 1pm to 6pm • Sunday 23 and 30 May and 6, 13 and 20 June 9am to 4pm • Monday 31 May 9am to 4pm

What to expect
Traffic management, operatives, and barrier equipment will be in place
Lane closures will be controlled by automatic signals supported by operatives during the busiest parts of the day

What we will do
Maintain access to your property at all time

More info https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/update-notice-of-lane-closure-at-harvil-road/

Ruislip Golf Course HS2 works

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From HS2

Expansion of works area at Ruislip Golf Course 23/08/21 to 12/09/21 Work item details

What we are doing
Our works have now progressed to the point where we need to occupy additional land to facilitate works on the railway. This area is shown on the map below and is to the north of the current hoarding line. This area will allow us to fully build the internal haul road and stockpile essential materials for these works. For more info:

https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/expansion-of-works-area-at-ruislip-golf-course/

Duration of works
Week commencing 23 August 2021. This will remain part of the works area until the conclusion of all works. From 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1 pm on Saturdays, if required

What to expect
We will use mainly handheld tools and machinery to move the fencing and support weights

What we will do
Maintain footpath access while the Celandine Way remains open

A bunch of HS2 updates

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From HS2:

From Ickenham Residents.
1              From mid-August, we will be starting our preconstruction work, on the south side of the Ruislip Golf Course. This is part of our work to divert our sewer, to make way for the new HS2 line.
 
Thames Water update
From mid-August, we will be starting our preconstruction work, on the southside of the Ruislip Golf Course. This is part of our work to divert our sewer, to make way for the new HS2 line.
Our work will involve us putting up small fences to stop Great Crested Newts entering our planned worksite. Around this fence we will be putting up heras fencing. This worksite will be in place for up to two months. During this time, the newts inside the fencing area will be carefully removed and taken to the ponds on the golf course.
Our work will involve no tree or vegetation clearance and will have minimal impact to the area. A map of the area we will be working in, is shown on the next page.
Once this work has been completed, we will then start our main work to tunnel underground from Ickenham Green Allotments to the golf course.
We will be in touch again to provide regular updates on the works.
https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/notice-of-thames-water-work/
 
2          The road closure for the conveyor bridge installation over Newyears Green Lane was unable to go ahead as planned on the 2nd of August.
These works have now been rescheduled and will take place the week commencing the 9th of August 2021. On these dates works will take place between 8am to 6pm.
 
3          In a UK first, on-site 3D reinforced concrete printing is set to deliver environmental, cost and community benefits for Britain’s new high speed rail network.

The cutting-edge technology, called ‘Printfrastructure’, will be deployed by our London tunnels contractor SCS JV (Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture), in a move that represents a major step forward in construction technology.
Printing concrete with computer operated robots will enable SCS JV to make structures on site, instead of transporting them as pre-cast slabs by road before being assembled and lowered into place by large cranes.
As flexible mobile technology, 3D concrete printing enables the technique to be deployed in physically-restricted areas – avoiding the need to develop complicated and potentially expensive logistical plans.
Where our construction is happening besides a live railway, it also offers an opportunity to deliver works without disrupting the travelling public as a robot will print the reinforced concrete, enabling construction to continue and trains to run at the same time.
Previously work would have taken place overnight after trains have stopped running, potentially disturbing the local community, or would have required the suspension of services to ensure safe working.
Using a computer-controlled robot enables the reinforced concrete structures to be printed with a strengthening unique internal lattice structure, which not only significantly reduces the quantity of concrete required but also cuts waste.
But the breakthrough is underlined by technology developed by SCS JV’s Worcestershire-based partner, ChangeMaker 3D. Working with UK advanced materials specialist, Versarien, the high-tech compnay’s innovation takes the 3D concrete printing process and combines it with the strongest material ever tested: graphene.
Concrete with microscopic strands of graphene only several atoms thick running through it like stripes in a stick of rock replaces traditional steel to help drive improved site safety, greater construction flexibility, shorter build time and a smaller carbon footprint.
SCS JV estimates that the process it is developing with the Midlands firm could reduce the concrete used and contribute toward reducing carbon by up to 50 per cent.
By removing steel and simplifying the construction process, which will no longer require cranes and significantly fewer delivery trucks, the carbon reduction could be even greater. Proof of concept trials are due to begin in Spring 2022.
 
 

HS2 updates

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From HS2:

We wrote to you in June to advise you that we would be starting the next phase of the bored piles installation at Breakspear Road South from 21 June to 31 July. However, we will require additional time to complete these works which will continue until 6 August 2021.

We will also be installing sheet piles within our site compound at the same time.

HS2 updates

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From HS2:

HS2 and our contractors SCSJV will be holding an online information event on Thursday 29 July from 3pm to 5pm to share our designs of the Copthall Tunnel, between Breakspear Road South and Harvil Road, as well as the Northern Sustainable Placement Areas, located off Newyears Green Lane.

Join us to find out about:

  • Tunnel designs
  • Landscaping
  • Upcoming works programme
  • Construction methods

You will be able to hear from our team of experts and ask questions.

This event is being held on:

Thursday 29 July from 3pm to 5pm

You can register for the event via this link. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/copthall-tunnel-and-northern-sustainable-placement-areas-update-tickets-163352304139
Please note registration closes 2 hours before each live event starts.

We will be running this session via Microsoft Teams , which is a free to use online platform. If you have the Microsoft Teams app installed on your desktop or mobile device, the session will open automatically within that.

Further joining instructions will be sent to all registered attendees closer to the time.

We are holding virtual one to one sessions to learn more about HS2 works in Hillingdon and Northolt. HS2 and their contractors would like to invite you to book an appointment for a virtual one-to-one session. The sessions are a chance to learn more about works in the Hillingdon and Northolt areas. The 15-minute appointments are available on: • Monday 2 August, 3pm 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) You can book a slot on the HS2 website, please click here   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/one-to-one-virtual-events-hs2-works-in-hillingdon-and-northolt-tickets-161880144871

HS2 works August onwards

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From HS2

Upcoming works
Works are ongoing at our sites at Harvil Road and Newyears Green Lane to build the new bridge over the Chiltern Line railway, the Copthall tunnel and the conveyor system.

From 2 August 2021, we will be carrying out the following activities:

• Piling works for the west portal of the Copthall tunnel
• Installation of the conveyor bridge over Newyears Green Lane
• Installation of support structures (abutments and wingwalls) for the new
bridge over the Chiltern Line railway
• Sheet piling at the MSD buildings off Breakspear Road South

We will continue to monitor noise, dust and vibration throughout our works and ensure that adequate measures are in place to minimise disruption.  Please see the following pages for more information about locations and the works we will be carrying out over the next few months.

1. Piling works for the Copthall tunnel
From 2 August to 18 September 2021, we will be carrying out piling work for the construction of the west portal of the Copthall tunnel.
The west portal pilling will be delivered using Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) techniques. CFA piling is when a continuous auger (hollow stem) is drilled into the ground to the required depth. Once the required depth is achieved, concrete is installed via the piling rig and through the hollow stem auger. The auger is then slowly withdrawn, and reinforced steel cages are installed. This method should not cause any disruption.

2. Road closure for conveyor bridge installation over Newyears Green Lane
From week commencing 2 August 2021, we will lift and install the conveyor bridge over Newyears Green Lane. A temporary road closure will be in place to ensure the installation can be carried out safely.
These works are dependent on weather conditions and we will therefore require two weeks after the start date as contingency to complete them. We anticipate the road closure to be in place for up to five days.  We will provide you updates at HS2inHillingdon.co.uk

3. Support structure installation
From 7 August 2021, we will be constructing the abutments and wingwalls, support structures for the new bridge over the Chiltern Line railway.
An abutment is a substructure unit located at the end of a bridge. Its function is to provide end support for the bridge superstructure. Wingwalls are also located at the ends of a bridge. Their function is to retain and provide support to the abutments.
For safety reasons, some of these works will take place between midnight and 6am, Saturday to Thursday, when trains are not running.

4. Sheet piling at MSD building

From 9 to 27 August 2021, we will be installing sheet piles at the MSD Building located off Breakspear Road South within our site.
Steel sheet piles will be installed in sequence along the planned perimeter and pressed into position. When arranged side by side, the sheet piles form a wall to provide earth support. We will not be expecting any disruption for these works.

Download information relating to these works

Extended working hours within our sites
Works are ongoing at our sites at Harvil Road and Newyears Green Lane to build the new road realignment, the Copthall Tunnels and the conveyor system. Some of these works will need to take place during extended working hours. From 7 July until 31 October 2021, we will be extending our working hours on our sites and will be undertaking work on site from 7am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday. This is an extension of our core working hours of 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8pm to 1pm on Saturdays. We will only carry out activities agreed with the London Borough of Hillingdon and will adhere to the agreed working hours, noise and vibration limits. We will continue to monitor noise, dust and vibration throughout our works to ensure that we have adequate measures in place to minimise disruption. We appreciate your continued patience while we build HS2