A significant milestone has been achieved in the construction of HS2 in the West Midlands, with over one million cubic metres of concrete now poured into the railway’s network of viaducts and bridges.
This achievement represents over 50% of the total concrete required for the 90km stretch of railway structures. The concrete has been supplied by three major suppliers: Aggregate Industries, Tarmac, and Cemex, supporting over 250 jobs.
HS2 and its contractors are committed to sustainable construction practices. The use of low-carbon concrete mixes, incorporating high proportions of secondary materials like ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), is a key component of the project. Additionally, the adoption of digital technologies, such as the VERIFI system, enables real-time monitoring and management of concrete, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
Jon Knights, Materials and Durability Lead at HS2, said: “The operation to manage the materials needed to build HS2’s structures is hugely complex, so this milestone is a great achievement for the whole team.
“With more than half the concrete poured for structures in the West Midlands, we’re well on the way to completing the viaducts and bridges that will carry the country’s new high-speed railway through the region.”
Chris Jones, Senior Construction Manager at Balfour Beatty VINCI Joint Venture said: “The planning, communication and logistics management needed to achieve this milestone cannot be underestimated. Working in partnership with our three concrete suppliers, the team have kept this massive operation moving, supporting delivery of HS2’s construction programme in the region.
“Carbon reduction is a big part of our materials strategy, and we’ve worked closely with our supply chain to minimise the total cementitious contents in order to cut carbon and cost.”
The concrete is being used to construct a network of viaducts and bridges, including the impressive Chattle Hill structure in North Warwickshire. This structure, which will carry four HS2 tracks over the A446 Lichfield Road, is a prime example of the scale and complexity of the project.
