HS2 site readied for tunneling beneath ancient woodland in Long Itchington

The HS2 site in Long Itchington is being prepared a tunnel boring machine (TBM) which will dig under the village's ancient woodland.
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).

Midlands-based construction firm Collins Earthworks has completed excavating the north portal site of Long Itchington Wood Tunnel, ready for the TBM’ launch.

The 2,000 tonne TBM is arriving at the site in pieces from manufacturer Herrenknecht, and will be reassembled ready to start digging the tunnel in the summer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It will take five months to dig the first bore of the tunnel, then it will be extracted at the south portal before being transported by road back to the north

HS2’s Long Itchington Wood Tunnel north portal site.HS2’s Long Itchington Wood Tunnel north portal site.
HS2’s Long Itchington Wood Tunnel north portal site.

portal to commence the second bore.

HS2 is facing huge criticism after felling many woodlands, including some around Leamington and Kenilworth.

Campaigners asked for the route to be moved - or more tunnels to be built - so the woodlands could be saved - but to no avail.

But BBV Long Itchington Wood Tunnel construction director Aiden Goggins said: "The tunnel in this location preserves the ancient woodland, so forms a key element in how we are managing environmental impacts through the design of the railway."

Related topics: