Delivering tunnel segments to West Ruislip by rail
Work item: HS2-EW-SCS-Ph1-Ar-So-S2-Prog-works-1-15/12/2022
Work Item Summary
- Project Phase
- Phase 1
- Region
- Hillingdon
- Location
- West Ruislip
- Worksite Name
- West Ruislip
- Contractor
- SCS JV
- Type of works
- TBM Associated Works, Tunnel segment delivery
- Estimated Start Date
- 09/01/2023
- Estimated End Date
- 30/06/2024
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.
Download information relating to these works
Find out more about
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email [email protected]