HS2 has reached the half way point in construction of the 700-metre-long Burton Green ‘green tunnel’.
The Warwickshire tunnel, one of five ‘green tunnels’ being built on the project, is delivered by HS2’s main works civils contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV).
Designed by Mott MacDonald engineers from the Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture (DJV), the structure is shallower than conventional tunnels and will be finished with trees, plants and shrubs on top, helping them blend into the natural landscape.
The other green tunnels include:
- Copthall in Hillingdon
- Wendover in Buckinghamshire
- Chipping Warden and Greatworth, both in Northamptonshire.
How they did it
Burton Green Tunnel is being constructed using a ‘top down’ construction method; involving building the structure from existing ground level.
This includes initially building the side walls and roof of the tunnel, with large openings to ease excavation.
Work on the tunnel has ramped up since last year and has seen the completion of the 200-metre-long southern portal entrance and a series of underground structural elements.
This includes retaining walls and more than 1,300 piles, using 33,000 cubic metres of concrete in total.
A team of 150 will now focus on the next phase ahead of full completion in Autumn 2026, which includes further tunnel excavation work.
This milestone comes as Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture (SCS JV) is just weeks away from completing the earthworks for green tunnels and embankments just outside London.
The earthworks will help to propel the rail line across 134 miles of country between the capital city and the new Curzon Street Station in Birmingham.
Rupert Blake, project manager for Balfour Beatty VINCI, said: “As an engineer, it’s hugely rewarding to lead the delivery of the 700-metre-long Burton Green Tunnel in Warwickshire.
“This is a fascinating structure both in terms of scale and complexity, but its green characteristics are what really sets this tunnel apart.”
Tim Akers, engineering manager for Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture, said: “We’re extremely proud of the Burton Green Tunnel design, which we’ve been working on and evolving over the past five years, in close collaboration with the local community and other stakeholders.
“The result is a ‘railway within a landscape’ where the original character of the Kenilworth Greenway and ecological connectivity to the wider landscape are restored.”
HS2 now supports more than 31,000 jobs.
See how they did it below:
Credit: HS2 Ltd.
Was this interesting? Try: New stations and tunnels revealed in £6bn East West Rail plans
If you have a tip or story idea that fits with our publication, please contact the news reporter miles@wavenews.co.uk
Get industry news in 5 minutes!
A daily email that makes industry news enjoyable. It’s completely free.