EKFB data-enabled earthworks programme saves £25m for HS2

The joint venture was awarded ‘Platinum’ status by the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS), in recognition of the programme and improvements to supply chain management.

EKFB is delivering some of the largest cuttings and embankments on the new high-speed railway.

The programme, known as DIGGER (DIGital Graphical Earthworks Reporting), is a partnership between EKFB and construction equipment supplier Finning to streamline earthmoving.

HS2 claims it has led to savings of more than £25 million for the project by ‘avoiding unnecessary vehicle movements and cutting fuel consumption.’

In July, it was revealed that the closing down of the northern phase of HS2 connecting Birmingham and Manchester would cost up to £100 million, with the government announcing urgent action, in October, to control the spiralling costs of HS2.

The programme makes use of data from 700 earthmoving machines, fitted with electronic weight sensors to monitor the millions of cubic metres of rock and earth to be moved across the line’s 80 kilometre central section and telemetry devices that monitor utilisation of machines on site.

This includes:

• Graders
• Loading shovels
• Dozers and compactors
• Trucks and excavators

Anti-idling is also a priority aimed at enhancing energy efficiency, reducing costs, boosting productivity, and minimising workers’ exposure to black carbon.

Craig Downs, EKFB’s plant manager said: “This is a tremendous achievement for not just EKFB but for our entire supply chain.

“By not only adhering to the HS2 Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) process but surpassing the targets set, we’ve achieved significant reductions in hydrocarbons and tailpipe emissions, as well as marked improvements in engine stages. 

This milestone underscores our collective commitment to sustainability and excellence’’.

Andrea Davidson, HS2 Ltd’s head of carbon & climate change, added: “Platinum status is a fantastic achievement for EKFB and I’d like to congratulate everyone involved. 

“Their new processes are already cutting unnecessary vehicle movements and helping to optimise our earthmoving programme as well as boosting our supply chain management.

“Across the whole project, we continue to reduce our carbon footprint in construction and it’s great to see our contractors engaging with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to ensure best practice is actively being shared across the whole industry.”

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The firm was appointed to the upgrade scheme by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), as part of a wider £3.8 billion estate modernisation programme.  

ISG will refurbish and return to use 300 single-person cells at the Category B men’s prison in the Winson Green area of the city. 

It is understood to be the firm’s “largest refurbishment project to date”. 

ISG is also one of four project partners on the MoJ’s £1 billion New Prisons Programme Alliance to deliver four new adult male prisons across the UK. 

The contractor has also been appointed to the MoJ’s five-year, £2.5 billion Constructor Services Framework, providing access to national and regional projects valued up to £30 million. 

“The MoJ continues to be one of our most innovative and progressive customers across a range of measures – from procurement approaches, modern methods of construction (MMC) adoption and as an environmental, social and governance (ESG) trailblazer,” said Alister McNeil, sector director for justice, ISG. 

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The firm was appointed to the upgrade scheme by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), as part of a wider £3.8 billion estate modernisation programme.  

ISG will refurbish and return to use 300 single-person cells at the Category B men’s prison in the Winson Green area of the city. 

It is understood to be the firm’s “largest refurbishment project to date”. 

ISG is also one of four project partners on the MoJ’s £1 billion New Prisons Programme Alliance to deliver four new adult male prisons across the UK. 

The contractor has also been appointed to the MoJ’s five-year, £2.5 billion Constructor Services Framework, providing access to national and regional projects valued up to £30 million. 

“The MoJ continues to be one of our most innovative and progressive customers across a range of measures – from procurement approaches, modern methods of construction (MMC) adoption and as an environmental, social and governance (ESG) trailblazer,” said Alister McNeil, sector director for justice, ISG. 

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If you have a tip or story idea that fits with our publication, please contact the news reporter/editor