Collins Earthworks has completed excavating the north portal site of Long Itchington Wood Tunnel, ready for the launch of the tunnel boring machine that will dig under the ancient woodland in Warwickshire
Collins Earthworks is contracted to HS2’s main works contractor BBV Joint Venture, which is responsible for building the northern section of HS2 as it heads into Birmingham.
Since April 2020, 120 people from Collins Earthworks have worked on the HS2 site, with a number of new plant operatives also employed from the area, providing jobs for local people during the pandemic.
The team has excavated 300,000m3 of soil, with the topsoil and subsoils stored and separated with a layer of straw, so they can be put back in the same way after the tunnel has been built.
At the busiest period, there was a total of 35 machines on the site, all utilising the latest technology to lower emissions.
The company’s construction fleet uses fuel-efficient engines, with exhaust systems that efficiently break down Nitrogen Oxide gases into harmless elements before being expelled from the vehicle.
The yet-to-be-named 2,000-tonn tunnel boring machine will take five months to dig the first bore of the tunnel, then it will be extracted at the south portal before being transported by road back to the north portal to commence the second bore.
Next month, people in Warwickshire will be invited to suggest names for the tunnel boring machine that will then be shortlisted for a national vote during the summer.
Collins Earthworks is committed to providing training to the younger generation, providing apprentice places on HS2 sites.
The company continues to prepare HS2’s sites at Long Itchington south portal, Washwood Health, Bromford Tunnel portal, and at the A46, M6 junction 4 and Marston Lane, where further opportunities will also be available.
Reducing emissions and managing the impact
Aiden Goggins, BBV’s Construction director at the Long Itchington Wood Tunnel site, said: “The Long Itchington Wood Tunnel site is one of the project’s largest, and Collins Earthworks have worked for nearly a year to carefully excavate material which will be reused to form environmental embankments and landscape for the railway.
“The tunnel in this location preserves the ancient woodland, so forms a key element in how we are managing environmental impacts through the design of the railway.
“Reducing emissions and managing the impact that machinery has on the environment is a key priority for HS2 and Balfour Beatty VINCI, and we’re pleased that Collins Earthworks have introduced the latest technology in their fleet to help us reduce our carbon footprint.”
David Collins, CEO of Collins Earthworks, said: “Working on HS2 has provided our business with ongoing work through the pandemic, ensuring we can continue to support jobs for our 370 employees in the Midlands.
“We are delivering a start-to-finish service, encompassing site clearance, then providing the right machines and fully trained labour to carry out all project management and execution on site, as well as recycling materials for future use on the project.
“Our growth is set to continue, and projects like HS2 enable us to continue to focus on providing training for all staff to maintain our high standards of health and safety practices.”
