Launch of the Tunnel Boring Machine
Work item: HS2-EW-SCS-Ph1-Ar-So-S2-Tun-1-15/9/2022
Work Item Summary
- Project Phase
- Phase 1
- Region
- Hillingdon
- Location
- Ickenham
- Worksite Name
- West Ruislip
- Contractor
- SCS JV
- Type of works
- Tunnelling
- Estimated Start Date
- 26/09/2022
- Estimated End Date
- 30/06/2024
What we are doing
What we are doing
We wrote to you recently to inform you that our newly assembled Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) at the West Ruislip Portal site would cut up to one metre into the concrete wall ahead of it on Tuesday 30 August.
We are now ready to launch our first TBM this month on its journey towards Greenpark Way (Ealing) which will last until June 2024.
What to expect
From late September 2022 to June 2024, we will be undertaking tunnelling works. We anticipate our second TBM will be launched in late October 2022.
Once launched, the TBM will require the following support activities at the West Ruislip Portal site. You may hear some different noises from our site as a result of these activities, but we will ensure that we adhere to the agreed working hours, noise and vibration limits set by the London Borough of Hillingdon. To minimise noise, acoustic screens and tents will be used.
More information and the area of activity is shown on the map overleaf.
Tunnel segments
The TBM operates as a self-contained underground factory – digging the tunnel, lining it with concrete wall segments and putting them into place. The segments will initially be delivered by road and stored on site. Two gantry cranes will lift the segments onto the multipurpose service vehicles which will move segments to the TBM. Initially the segments will be delivered to our site during core working hours and we will keep you informed should this change.
Conveyor system
Soil excavated from the tunnel will be used to landscape areas on each side of the Chiltern line railway. The first excavated soil will be transported by a small temporary conveyor to a designated area within the site boundary until December 2022. The temporary conveyor will operate 24/7. We will start constructing the main conveyor and will provide you with further information in due course.
Rail siding
We have started building a rail siding at our site which will enable the delivery of tunnel segments by rail from the end of 2022/early 2023. We will update you on this activity later this year.
We anticipate that any noise and vibration relating to the TBM launch and its progress underground will be minimal given that it is at least 10 metres below the surrounding ground level. This distance is measured from the crown of the tunnel and not the track bed.
You may notice different types of noise during these works.
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 to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.
Engagement
Our engagement team are available to answer your questions about the TBM launch and our works in the following ways:
– Our Community Information Hub at the mouth of our site on Ickenham Road will be open each day from Monday 26 to Friday 30 September from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
– We are also planning a public engagement event locally and invitations will be sent out soon.
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]