Midlands-based construction firm, Collins Earthworks, has completed excavating the north portal site of Long Itchington Wood Tunnel, ready for the launch of the tunnel boring machine that will dig under the ancient woodland in Warwickshire.
The company, with headquarters in Ripley, Derbyshire, is contracted to HS2’s main works contractor BBV Joint Venture (Balfour Beatty Group and VINCI Construction), which is responsible for building the northern section of HS2 as it heads into Birmingham.
Since April 2020, 120 people from Collins Earthworks have worked on the HS2 site, with a number of new plant operatives also employed from the area, providing jobs for local people during the pandemic. The team has excavated 300,000m3 of soil, with the topsoil and subsoils stored and separated with a layer of straw, so they can be put back in the same way after the tunnel has been built.
Report goes on, with pictures
300,000m3 of material excavated, ready to be recycled 120 people have carried out earthmoving work since April 2020 Warwickshire site now ready for tunnel boring machine to dig under ancient woodland Images available here...
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