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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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/