Problems found in tunnel’s concrete segments
‘Quality issues’ have been identified with some of the precast pieces for the first of HS2’s ‘green tunnels’, and remedial work may be required.
PROBLEMS have been discovered with some of the precast concrete segments manufactured for HS2’s ‘green tunnel’ at Chipping Warden, Northamptonshire.
Work on the 1.5-mile structure, which will form the first of five ‘green tunnels’ for phase one of HS2, began in June. It is one of three that will be created with precast segments being manufactured in Derbyshire by Stanton Precast.
In a statement, HS2 said:
“We have recently identified quality issues with some of the segments and we are currently conducting tests to determine whether remedial work is needed. No decision has been made yet and we are actively engaging with our supply chain partners to resolve the problem.”
Each tunnel section constructed at Chipping Warden consists of five separate pieces.
More than 5000 steel-reinforced segments, the largest of them weighing up to 43 tonnes, will form the entire length of the double-arch ‘green tunnel’.
The structures are so-named because they will be covered with earth and landscaped with trees, shrubs and hedgerows.