HS2
In my roles with HS2 I started with scoping and development of Area North for two stations, Enabling Works and Main Works, through procurement appointing Laing Murphy for EWC and BBV for MWCC. Having finally got through Stage 1 to get an outline price and programme we received Notice to Proceed somewhat later than planned and I moved to become the Engineering Director Civils covering the route from London to Birmingham and on to Handsacre, excluding Stations. Subsequently I also was given the Civil Engineering Disciplines of Highways and Drainage, Tunnelling, Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Structures and Transport Planning, very similar to earlier roles I held in Jacobs.
I have also seen the team develop from a small development team to an experienced team of people who understand the interrelationship of technical delivery (with regard to safety in design and quality) and value (cost and schedule) while maintaining HS2s values. A challenging approach in a contractual, commercial and political landscape that has been ever changing over the last 9 years with a variety of Political and HS2 Leads. As Engineering Director Civils and Principal Designer I was responsible for the technical delivery, assurance, quality, integration of the following:
500 bridging structures including 50 major viaducts with an overall length of around 18km including the UKs longest railway bridge 70 cuttings measuring over 72km and up to 30m deep
110 embankments up to 3km long utilising 95% of the material excavated from the cuttings
A vast array of environmental mitigation works both for during construction and later operation
All whilst bearing in mind we are delivering a Railway not just a civil engineering project, so keeping good relationships with Stations, Rail Systems, Systems Safety, Operations and Maintenance, Commercial, Financial and of course my favourite, Project Controls.
Links below take you to the JVs sites with greater details and great pictures and videos
01
BalfourBeattyVinci MWCC
Originally part of Area North together with two stations and the Enabling Works Contract alongside LaingMurphyJV. Having procured the main works contracts I worked alongside BBV to get us through the ECI Stage 1 works to get a n agreed cost and schedule based on point and risk to submit to the DfT and Treasury until eventually we received Notice to Proceed. Since then BBV have commenced delivery on site of multiple viaducts, bridges and earthworks including the Bromford Tunnel bringing a number of innovative construction techniques such as the Viaducts in Delta
https://balfourbeattyvinci.co.uk/
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02
Align JV BouyguesTP, Sir Robert McAlpine, VolkerFitzpatrick
The Align JV and Align-DJv are delivering two of the major assets for HS2. Following Notice to Proceed I commenced my duties as Engineering Director Civils and this contract came under my purview. Whilst I have encountered the viaduct construction technique in China I believe this was its first use in the UK being used to deliver the Colne Valley Viaduct, the longest rail viaduct in the UK (Allegedly). The second major asset is the dual Chiltern Tunnels consisting of two segmentally lined tunnel excavated by Herrenknecht TBMs with a number of access and ventilation shafts and 28 cross passages.
03
EKFB JV - Effiage Kier Ferrovial Bam
The third of my post NTP contracts, this section runs through the rural area of the route for around 80km consisting of multiple bridging structure, cuttings and embankments and the groundworks for the Calvert IMC. Bringing off site manufacture to viaducts (making them a kit of parts) EKFB have delivered in an environmentally challenging area alongside the Environment Agency and Planning Authorities to ensure the Railway will fit within the Environment without detracting from it.
04
SCSJV - Skanska Costain Strabag
This team are delivering the London section of the route from Euston to the M25 by twin bored tunnels, multiple shafts, a green tunnel and a section of open route to link to the Align section of the works. Challenged by the political climate the drives to Euston from Old Oak Common have been delayed but the remainder of the route is well on with delivery.
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