HS2 contract to deliver tunnel segment factory in Hartlepool

HS2’s main works civils contractor, Costain Skanska STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV), has awarded its second contract for the production of precast tunnel segments to STRABAG

As part of the HS2 contract, STRABAG will open a new tunnel segment factory on an old oil rig fabrication site in Hartlepool, creating over 100 new jobs for people in the surrounding area.

STRABAG will provide 36,000 segments for the twin bored tunnels under London from HS2’s new Old Oak Common station to Green Parkway running underneath Northolt.

Located at Hartlepool Dock, owned and operated by PD Ports, the new facility will employ over 100 people, creating new skilled jobs in the area for the duration of the project.

‘Building back better in action’

HS2 minister, Andrew Stephenson, said: “This landmark contract to build a new factory in Hartlepool to manufacture items for HS2 shows building back better in action, giving new life to a vacant site and bringing over 100 new skilled jobs to the area.

“Companies across the North East are already benefiting from being part of HS2’s vast supply chain, with 400,000 supply chain contract opportunities expected on Phase One alone.”

The new factory’s well-connected location, both by rail and sea, means it is well placed to be utilised beyond HS2, working on domestic and international projects.

HS2’s chief commercial officer, Ruth Todd, said: “The award of this contract is another important milestone towards the start of HS2’s tunnelling operations in London.

“The decision to manufacture the segments not only in the UK, but in a new facility in the North East, is another demonstration of how HS2 is having a positive impact on regional economies across the UK and helping the country to build back better after the pandemic.”

Construction of the new HS2 tunnel segment factory will begin in January 2022 and the production of the precast concrete tunnel segments will commence in December 2022.

All 36,000 tunnel segments will be transported from the Hartlepool factory entirely by rail, with the first freight train delivery arriving at the Willesden Euro terminal logistics hub in April 2023.

The segments will be used to construct the tunnels, and will be installed using two giant tunnel boring machines (TBMs). 100,000m³ of concrete will be used to construct the segments which will be 8.8m outside diameter, 0.35m thick and will weigh 6 tonnes each.

James Richardson, managing director of Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, commented: “STRABAG’s Hartlepool and PACADAR’s Kent facilities are both key to the delivery of the HS2 tunnels in London.

“Tunnel segment rings will be produced in Hartlepool and loaded on to freight trains and delivered by rail to our newly opened Logistics Hub at Willesden Junction. These huge tunnel segments, each weighing seven tonnes, will be then transported to the tunnel boring machine.

“This is a game-changer in how we move forward in the construction industry and is a significant step towards net zero carbon emissions in transport.”