Production of HS2 tunnel segments begins at new Strabag facility

The tunnel segments are being produced for the 5.47km twin-bored Northolt tunnel east and 8km twin-bored tunnel Euston tunnel between Old Oak Common and Euston. Each ring has an 8.8m outside diameter, is 35 centimetres thick and weighs seven tonnes.

The factory, previously used for fabrication of oil rigs, has been fitted out with a state-of-the-art automated segment carousel and reinforcement hall. Robots controlled by telemetry will produce the reinforcement cages required for each segment. Strabag has also brought the rail head adjacent to the site back into use, reinstating rail connections.

The Hartlepool facility will be used to produce HS2 tunnel segments for around three years but Strabag’s investment in the site is part of a long-term UK investment strategy.

Strabag UK managing director Andy Dixon said the increased use of automation enhanced production efficiency, provided a safer environment and created new technology related job opportunities.

“In addition, having direct access to the rail network means we can take a significant number of lorries off UK roads. This creates a more sustainable solution in the way we transport tunnel segment rings to the TBMs building the London tunnels for HS2, resulting in a reduction in our carbon footprint,” he said.

The facility will produce 96 concrete segment rings a day, with teams of 30 working in shifts across 24 hours, seven days per week.

HS2’s main works civils contractor, Skanska Costain Strabag joint venture (SCS JV), is constructing HS2’s London tunnels. The segments will be transported by rail to HS2’s London logistics hub. Starting this summer, a 20-carriage train will depart from the site each day over six days, increasing to two per day as production increases.

From the logistics hub, the segments will be transported by an electric multi-service vehicle (MSV) to the construction sites and transferred on to the four TBMs that will construct the tunnels.

• Last week the government’s centre of expertise for infrastructure and major projects deemed HS2 unlikely to be delivered successfully. In its annual report, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) gave the high-speed rail project a red rating. The definition of the rating states: “Successful delivery of the project appears to be unachievable. There are major issues with project definition, schedule, budget, quality and/or benefits delivery, which at this stage do not appear to be manageable or resolvable. The project may need re-scoping and/or its overall viability reassessed.”
• In March, the government announced the Birmingham to Crewe leg of HS2 was being delayed for two years to improve government cash flow. In April, it was confirmed that tunnelling to London’s Euston Station, due to start later this year, had been deferred. Preparation works for the launch of the two TBMs would continue, however.