HS2 has reached another major construction milestone with the installation of the final roof segment on the Burton Green tunnel in Warwickshire, paving the way for landscaping work to transform the structure into a new community green space.
The 700-metre-long cut-and-cover tunnel will carry high-speed trains beneath the village of Burton Green, near Kenilworth, while helping minimise the railway’s visual impact on the surrounding landscape.
With the main civil engineering works now complete, attention will turn to constructing a 500-metre-long green roof that will restore the landscape above the tunnel and reconnect the local community.
Major milestone for West Midlands section
The 16-metre-wide twin-box tunnel has been designed with an internal dividing wall separating northbound services towards Birmingham, Manchester and Scotland from southbound trains heading to Old Oak Common and London Euston.
Around 150 people have worked on the project, which has been delivered through a narrow construction corridor while maintaining access through the village.
Doug Barnett, Senior Project Manager at HS2 Ltd, said: “With the main civil engineering complete, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the 150-strong team on the ground, we can now begin the next phase of this exciting project.
“We look forward to working with local communities to bring the bold design vision for Burton Green tunnel to life, maximising the potential of this new green space.”
Restoring the landscape
The completed tunnel will be covered with native planting, creating new habitats for wildlife while reconnecting the landscape around Black Waste Wood and Little Poors Wood.
Excavated material from the project is being reused as part of the landscaping works in line with HS2’s sustainability objectives.
The scheme also includes the reinstatement of the Kenilworth Greenway close to its original alignment. Once complete, the route will run over the tunnel, providing a continuous link between Balsall Common and Kenilworth for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Tim Akers, Design Manager at the Mott MacDonald/SYSTRA Design Joint Venture, said: “A range of techniques were incorporated into the design to enable construction through this narrow corridor within the village. The end result will be a railway within a landscape, where the original character of the Kenilworth Greenway and ecological connectivity to the wider landscape are restored over the buried tunnel.”
Complex engineering project
Construction has been led by Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), supported by civils subcontractor Galldris Group, whose workforce of more than 100 people played a key role in delivering the tunnel and associated retaining structures.
Work will now continue on the tunnel’s internal systems, including installation of the southern escape walkway and fire protection to the tunnel walls.
Rupert Blake, Project Manager at BBV, said: “The structural completion of Burton Green tunnel is a huge moment for BBV and our supply chain partners, who’ve worked tirelessly over the last five years to get us here.
“A range of construction techniques have been used to deliver this complex engineering project, showcasing the team’s skill, expertise and resilience. The next step is to install a 500-metre green roof on top of the structure, so it integrates into the natural landscape.”
Ibrahim Arshad, Senior Project Manager at Galldris Group, added: “From start to finish, we have provided engineering expertise, detailed planning and self-delivery capabilities to safely deliver this complex section of HS2.
“Working collaboratively with Balfour Beatty VINCI, the design joint venture and the wider supply chain, we are proud to have contributed to the structural completion of one of HS2’s most significant green tunnels.”
Progress across the HS2 route
Burton Green is one of five green tunnels being constructed along the HS2 route, alongside Copthall in London, Wendover in Buckinghamshire and Chipping Warden and Greatworth in Northamptonshire.
The milestone comes as construction activity reaches its peak between London and the West Midlands. Recent progress elsewhere on the railway includes the launch of HS2’s tallest viaduct into position in Birmingham and the completion of piling works at Curzon Street station.
HS2 Ltd said the project continues under the leadership of Chief Executive Mark Wild, who is overseeing a programme-wide reset focused on improving productivity and delivering the railway as efficiently as possible.
