HS2 launches best practice sharing initiative
HS2 has launched a major new initiative to share insight from the country’s largest construction project with the wider UK infrastructure industry.
The move will see the publication of lessons learnt, good practice and innovation from across the project published regularly here.
The first tranche of Learning Legacy material includes over 100 resources covering a range of topics including Design Engineering & Architecture; Environment, Digital Engineering; Health & Safety and Occupational Health & Wellbeing.
New learning legacy papers will be published every six months and the project builds on similar initiatives at London 2012, Crossrail and Thameslink London Bridge.
HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Mark Thurston said: “Major projects like HS2 do not happen in isolation – we build on the experience and lessons learned from previous projects and rely on the wider industry to deliver. That’s why its so important that we pay back and offer the next generation the same opportunities to learn from our experience.
“Today’s launch of the HS2 Learning legacy project shows just how seriously we take that responsibility and I’d like to thank everyone who put time into sharing their insight and experience from across the design and early stages of the project.”
Keltbray buys nmcn infrastructure business
Keltbray has agreed a deal to acquire a portfolio of infrastructure contracts and associated assets from nmcn which went into administration last week.
The latest move secures the futures of 117 former nmcn employees and Keltbray will take over existing contracts with immediate effect.
Some infrastructure contracts were not transferred as part of the deal leading to 19 redundancies
The acquired contracts will be managed within Keltbray’s existing infrastructure division reporting to Managing Director, Phill Price.
Keltbray CEO, Darren James said: “Keltbray are pleased with the ‘on strategy’ opportunities presented by the acquisition of these contracts, working with clients on some of the UK’s most important infrastructure projects.
“Today’s announcement accelerates our plans to build a resilient, growth-oriented business. Equally important, we have also safeguarded 117 valuable jobs and livelihoods that could otherwise have been lost to our industry.
“The acquisition has required a very rapid, but collaborative approach, and Keltbray would like to thank all parties for their proactivity throughout. I look forward to working with my new colleagues as we build a rewarding future together as one Keltbray.”
The Keltbray deal is the final sell-off of nmcn which went into administration last week.
Galliford Try bought the water business for £1m saving 900 jobs while Svella picked-up the telecoms, plant hire, transport and accommodation divisions saving 680 jobs.
Administrator Grant Thornton was unable to find a buyer for the building division leading to 80 redundancies.
Spokesperson for Grant Thornton, Rob Parker said: “We are very pleased to have secured this third sale which means that within less than a week of our appointment we have secured over 1600 jobs and helped to maintain continuity and minimise the impact for the greater majority of nmcn’s customers, many of which were involved in important infrastructure projects across the UK. It was important to ensure that transactions were completed as quickly as possible.
“Sadly it was not possible to transfer all of the Infrastructure contracts and therefore regrettably we have today announced 19 redundancies.
“Our focus as administrators now turns to assisting the purchasers of the various parts of nmcn with post completion matters and dealing with the other assets of the company. We will be providing further updates in due course.
“The Joint Administrators would like to thank the efforts of Lee Marks, Alan Foster and the nmcn and Grant Thornton teams for their hard work in achieving these sales.”
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Cement giants hasten plan to cut CO2 emissions
Forty of the world’s leading cement and concrete manufacturers have joined forces to accelerate the shift to greener concrete by pledging to cut CO2 emissions by a further 25% by 2030.
The world’s most used human-made material accounts for 7% of total global CO2 emissions and is a pivotal material in the response to the climate emergency.
The cement producers target marks the biggest global commitment by an industry to net zero so far – bringing together companies from the Americas, Africa, Asia, including India and China, and Europe.
The firms have affirmed their commitment to net zero concrete by 2050 and agreed to a more ambitious intermediate goal of preventing 5 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030.
This is equivalent to the CO2 emissions of almost 15 billion flights from Paris to New York.
The roadmap to get there is built around a seven-point plan that seeks to cut the amount of CO2intensive clinker in cement, significantly reduce fossil fuel use in manufacturing, and accelerate innovation in products, process efficiency and breakthrough technologies including carbon capture.
Cement industry net-zero plan
The Global Cement and Concrete Association has also called on governments, designers and contractors to play their part by assembling the right public policies and investments to support the global scale transition of the industry.
These include greater development of critical technologies such as carbon capture and storage, and reforms to public works procurement policy to encourage the use of low-carbon cement and concrete products.
Thomas Guillot, GCCA Chief Executive, said: “We now need governments around the world to work with us and use their huge procurement power to advocate for low carbon concrete in their infrastructure and housing needs.
“We require their support to change regulation that limits the use of recycled materials and impedes the transition to a low carbon and circular economy.”
The association counts companies such as CEMEX, CNBM, CRH, HeidelbergCement, Holcim and Votorantim as members.
Click for cement and concrete roadmap to net zero.
Big HS2 tunnel segment factory to be built in Hartlepool
An old oil rig fabrication site in Hartlepool is set to be the home of a precast concrete tunnel segment factory for HS2, creating over 100 new jobs.
Austria’s largest construction firm Strabag will build the facility to fulfil a 36,000 segment contract for its joint venture with Costain Skanska delivering twin bored tunnels from HS2’s new Old Oak Common station to Green Parkway running underneath Northolt.
To be located at Hartlepool Dock, owned and operated by PD Ports, construction of the new factory will begin in January 2022 to start production of 6-tonne precast concrete tunnel segments will commence in December 2022.
Work will start by redeveloping the exterior land parcel to suit the segment storage requirements and rail logistics platform.
Former oil rig fabrication site at Hartlepool Port
Then focus will turn to the internal fit-out which will house an advanced automated segment carousel and reinforcement hall.
Robots will also be controlled by telemetry to produce the high quality reinforcement cages required for each segment.
HS2’s chief commercial officer, Ruth Todd, said:“The decision to manufacture the segments not only in the UK, but in a new facility in the North East, is another demonstration of how HS2 is having a positive impact on regional economies across the UK and helping the country to build back better after the pandemic.”
Andrew Dixon, Commercial Director at Strabag said: “This new production facility in Hartlepool and our existing precast factory in Wilton for the Woodsmith Mine project underline our long-term commitment to the region.”
This contract is the second of two for precast concrete tunnel segments for HS2’s London tunnels.
Pacadar UK will be delivering 58,000 segments for the first London tunnel being constructed between West Ruislip and Green Park Way, in Ealing. The combined length of HS2’s London tunnels being constructed by SCS JV is 26miles, the same length as Crossrail.
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