Managing impacts of construction

We aim to avoid and minimise emissions during construction and operation.

During construction we set strict emissions standards for vehicles and machinery, require Euro 6 standards for lorries, monitor dust and nitrogen oxides in real time, and control and limit dust, odour and exhaust emissions.

Where possible, materials are transported by rail instead of road to reduce lorry movements and emissions.

When operational, the railway will be powered by electricity from the national grid. HS2 trains will not emit air quality pollutants at the point of use.

Tunnelling and excavation can cause small ground movements known as settlement.

In most cases, settlement does not cause damage. Where effects do occur, they are usually minor, such as small cracks in plaster.

We limit settlement by carefully controlling excavation methods, monitoring ground movement, and treating ground where necessary.

Property owners in certain areas may be eligible to enter into a formal settlement deed with HS2, which provides a legal undertaking regarding potential damage.

Guide to ground settlement

This paper outlines how your property might be affected and what a settlement deed is and how to apply for one.

View a copy here.

Construction can generate noise and vibration, particularly in built-up areas.

We manage this by using quieter, lower-vibration equipment, installing acoustic hoarding and temporary noise barriers, scheduling noisy works during core hours wherever possible, monitoring noise levels in real time, and applying best practicable means to control impacts at source.

It is extremely unlikely that vibration from construction would cause structural damage. If residents have concerns, our Helpdesk is available at all times.

Reporting

We continuously monitor the levels of noise (and if appropriate vibration) at locations around our worksites along the route where people could be disturbed by noise.

View the monitoring reports here.

We also publish the full data set from our monitors following publication of the monthly report.

View the data sets here.

We understand that construction traffic is a key concern for communities.

To reduce pressure on local roads, we use rail transport for materials and bulk waste where possible, build dedicated haul roads within construction sites, reuse excavated material locally to reduce lorry movements, agree lorry routes with highway authorities, and schedule deliveries outside peak hours.

In some locations, temporary road improvements are made to accommodate construction traffic. These are often built off-line to reduce disruption while works are carried out.

We’ve created a Route-wide Traffic Management Plan (RTMP) to manage traffic and transport while we build the railway.

The plan sets out how our contractors must:

• plan and manage traffic in their local area, including any major changes to roads
• monitor construction traffic and report on planned and actual vehicle movements
• meet our standards for vehicle and driver safety
• develop travel plans for the workforce
• protect roads and other infrastructure

We recognise that some people may be more affected than others, including night workers or those with medical conditions. A dedicated panel considers individual circumstances and may offer additional mitigation where appropriate.

Protecting rivers, groundwater and public water supplies is a fundamental commitment.

We work closely with organisations such as the Environment Agency, local authorities and water companies to agree working methods and monitoring before construction begins.

Tunnelling through chalk aquifers is carefully designed to protect groundwater. Detailed monitoring is carried out before, during and after construction. Wastewater is treated and reused where possible. Protective measures are in place when constructing foundations near lakes and rivers.

A dedicated water treatment plant has been built to recycle water used in tunnelling and to ensure discharge meets strict quality standards.