Client. HS2 reveals ambitious plans to create one of the largest areas of chalk grassland in the Colne Valley and Chilterns escarpment in the U.K. An ambitious scheme, designed by HS2’s landscape architects, ecologists, engineers and soil specialists, including a Jacobs team, aims to reuse construction materials to create 127 hectares of new chalk grassland, woodland, wood pasture and wetland habitats that will substantially enhance the local natural environment. People can r, UK Water Net Zero Carbon: Quantifying the Benefits of Biosolids to Land, UK Water Net Zero Carbon: Embracing the natural solution, Jacobs Talks to Environment Analyst about the Social Value Imperative, https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/colne-valley-western-slopes-and-south-portal-design-update-tickets-140864169523, Read the interview in The Guardian: HS2 to 'rewild' 127 hectares around its 10…. The plans near West Hyde on the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire border includes the planting of almost 65,000 trees and shrubs of 32 species, with nearly 3.5km of new hedgerows. The project, being designed and delivered by HS2’s civils contractor Align, will provide wider health and recreation benefits for neighboring communities including the provision of new connected green spaces and around 4.5km of new footpath, cycling and horse-riding routes. HS2 has already destroyed 4,000 trees and rising water levels due to ongoing HS2 construction work are threatening the habitats of endangered species such as the water vole. Arable land that is initially needed for a major works compound to construct the Colne Valley Viaduct and Chilterns Tunnel will be transformed through the re-use of existing soils and recycling of three million m3 of chalk taken from the tunnel excavation, as well as concrete and limestone aggregate materials used in the construction process. 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In this interview, Jacobs' Donald Morrison and Simetrica-Jacobs' Daniel Fujiwara talk to Environment Analyst about the vital shift in focus to embedding social value-based decisions at the heart of a green economic recovery. rodney.bridle@damsafety.co.uk It will also reduce the carbon footprint of the project by reducing road haulage and waste treatment activities and will enable, by replacing arable land with natural habitats, being designed and delivered by HS2’s civils contractor, Arable land that is initially needed for a major works compound to construct the Colne Valley Viaduct and Chilterns Tunnel will be transformed through the re-use of existing soils and recycling of three million m. HS2’s Environment Director Peter Miller said: “This project forms a major part of HS2’s Green Corridor program to establish better connected, sustainable and biodiverse landscapes along the route of the new railway that, to HS2’s carbon reduction target. HS2‘s Delivery Director, David Bennett, said: “The south portal site will have one of the most important parts to play in the story of HS2.From here, we’ll manage the construction of the Chiltern tunnels and the iconic Colne Valley viaduct. The Colne Valley Western Slopes project will be a major contributor in meeting HS2’s carbon reduction targets by delivering significant ecological gain in the Colne Valley. Atkins Jacobs SENER (HS2 EDP) Demonstrating what can be achieved for HS2 . The Colne Valley Viaduct is a key landmark structure within High Speed Two (HS2), befitting its unique landscape setting. Jacobs Ecology lead Matt Hobbs (on behalf of Align) said: “The Colne Valley Western Slopes is a unique opportunity to give something back for wildlife by creating a large new reserve dedicated to nature in the Colne Valley. “We aim to create a landscape which is both rich in biodiversity and a place for people to explore and connect with the natural environment. “A key challenge with habitat creation is how to establish and then maintain the habitats over the long term. Around 90 hectares of chalk grassland … Colne Valley Western Slopes Published by: Pippa Whittaker , 02 Mar 2021 An ambitious scheme, designed by HS2’s landscape architects, ecologists, engineers and soil specialists, aims to reuse construction materials to create 127 hectares of new chalk grassland, woodland, wood pasture and wetland habitats that will substantially enhance the local natural environment in the Colne Valley. Colne Valley HS2 Viaduct Specimen Design. In doing this we are embracing sustainable design solutions such as green travel opportunities and reuse of construction materials to help achieve ambitious carbon reduction targets. The Colne Valley Park and HS2 The Colne Valley Park Community Interest Company (CIC) is publicly and determinedly opposed to the HS2 project, which will have a direct, negative and permanent impact on a precious and already vulnerable landscape. Align is currently preparing the site for the launch of the two tunnel boring machines that will excavate the 16km-long Chiltern Tunnels. The Colne Valley Western Slopes project will be a major contributor in meeting HS2’s carbon reduction targets by delivering significant ecological gain in the Colne Valley. Challenging today and reinventing tomorrow really has been central to this, with the proposals seeking to rewild 127 hectares, Once detailed design is complete, the local community will be able to see the full plans at HS2's online ‘you said, we did’ webinars which are currently planned for later this month. HS2 Ltd has continued the destruction throughout the Covid-19 emergency. Jacobs is design partner to Align, the high-speed rail consortium of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerFitzpatrick. The Colne Valley Western Slopes project will be a major contributor in meeting HS2’s carbon reduction targets by delivering significant ecological gain in the Colne Valley. HS2 has unveiled plans to create one of the largest areas of chalk grassland on the edge of the Chilterns in the Colne Valley. Align is currently preparing the site for the launch of the two tunnel boring machines that will excavate the 16km-long Chiltern Tunnels. Another group demonstrated at the HS2 site in Colne Valley, Greater London (HS2 Rebellion/PA) Other protests. In terms of the Visitor Experience and Views, you felt it essential to maintain the magnificent views across the Colne Valley and asked whether we could do something similar to the ‘hills’ built along the A40 by material from the construction of Wembley Stadium which had become very successful recreational spaces. Crucially, we knew exactly when HS2 were coming to cut the trees down because HS2 Ltd had to apply to close the road to do it. The Colne Valley Regional Park Panel considers how the HS2 project should respond to the social, economic and ecological aspects of the Colne Valley. Natural capital approaches are at the heart of the water sector’s contribution to a green economic recovery and net zero carbon ambitions, while forming an integral part of the industry’s public interest commitment. 08 Mar, 2021 It demonstrates HS2’s approach to addressing many of the complex issues surrounding climate change and which are central to protecting our environment, and is a great example of how good design and planning can mitigate the effects of climate change.”. The Colne Valley Western Slopes project will be a major contributor in meeting HS2’s carbon reduction targets by delivering significant ecological gain in the Colne Valley. Jacobs Ecology lead Matt Hobbs (on behalf of Align) said: “The Colne Valley Western Slopes is a unique opportunity to give something back for wildlife by creating a large new reserve dedicated to nature in the Colne Valley. Once work is complete, the pre-cast plants will be disassembled and the whole site will be landscaped with material excavated from the tunnels and trees planted in order to blend it in with the surrounding countryside. At peak, around 1,200 people are expected to be employed in the design and construction of the Chiltern tunnels and the viaduct, with 50 opportunities for apprentices. This is a rare opportunity to establish, at scale, a distinctive and multi-layered landscape, which is inspired by and grounded in the context of the Colne Valley and Chiltern Hills," said Simon Railton, Landscape Architecture lead from the LDA Design/Jacobs team (on behalf of Align). HS2 environment director Peter Miller said: “This project forms a major part of HS2’s Green Corridor programme to establish better connected, sustainable and biodiverse landscapes along the route of the new railway that will contribute substantially to HS2’s carbon reduction target. The team’s approach uses local land managers who will let natural processes operate and introduce free-roaming livestock to graze the habitats year-round. Who is to blame for the Hammersmith Bridge saga? Challenging today and reinventing tomorrow really has been central to this, with the proposals seeking to rewild 127 hectares of the site, whilst providing a series of viewing areas and accessible walking, cycling and riding routes that will allow the community to connect with an ecologically diverse landscape for years to come.”. Rodney Bridle (F) Plant species and habitats are being carefully selected to be resilient to a changing climate. The key challenge is creating the necessary physical and chemical characteristics of the soil profiles to support resilient, biodiverse grasslands and the specialist species that thrive there. “Our proposals are the result of a truly collaborative endeavor which has compelling landscape and ecological objectives at its center. People can register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/colne-valley-western-slopes-and-south-portal-design-update-tickets-140864169523. We are pleased to be collaborating on the design with Natural England, Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, the Colne Valley Regional Park Panel, local authorities, and specialist soils experts.”. These changes are an unnecessary attack on the freedom to protest. “The Colne Valley Panel, which is drawn from local stakeholders, is very pleased to have been consulted, and through a series of workshops, panel members have been able to understand the design principles for the viaduct. We are pleased to be collaborating on the design with Natural England, Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, the Colne Valley Regional Park Panel, local authorities, and specialist soils experts.”. Structural steelwork is playing a pivotal role in the HS2 project, forming the all-important facilities that will enable the construction of the Chiltern tunnels and the Colne Valley Viaduct. Engineering. Once launched in 2021, the site will receive a continuous supply of chalk until tunnel completion in 2024. The Colne Valley Viaduct is a planned bridge which will carry the High Speed 2 railway over the Colne Valley Regional Park and the Grand Union Canal, in Hillingdon, west London. Just south of the tunnel portal, the Colne Valley Viaduct – designed by Align, working with its design partners Jacobs and Ingerop-Rendel, and the architect Grimshaw – will be the longest railway viaduct in the UK. HS2’s Environment Director Peter Miller said: “This project forms a major part of HS2’s Green Corridor program to establish better connected, sustainable and biodiverse landscapes along the route of the new railway that will contribute substantially to HS2’s carbon reduction target. The Colne Valley Regional Park Panel considers how the HS2 project should respond to the social, economic and ecological aspects of the Colne Valley. Field trials are in preparation ahead of final seeding, and planting of trees and shrubs in 2025. Labelled the Colne Valley Western Slopes project, HS2 says the scheme is the "biggest single landscape and habitat creation project within HS2’s Green Corridor programme". This is the subject of an innovative research study with Cranfield University and Tim O’Hare Associates that will involve both laboratory and field trials during construction to fine-tune the design. It demonstrates HS2’s approach to addressing many of the complex issues surrounding climate change and which are central to protecting our environment, and is a great example of how good design and planning can mitigate the effects of climate change.”, Align Project Director Daniel Altier said: “This innovative, multi-discipline project is designed to create a huge expanse of new grassland, connected woodland and wood pasture in the Colne Valley, helping to preserve declining or rare flora and fauna in the area, and providing a lasting legacy for biodiversity and local people. It is designed to be 2.1 miles (3.4 km) long. To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. “We are pleased to be collaborating on the design with Natural England, Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, the Colne Valley Regional Park Panel, local authorities, and specialist soils experts.”. Like what you've read? project will be a major contributor in meeting HS2’s carbon reduction targets by delivering significant ecological gain in the Colne Valley. The excavated material will be used to re-establish the locally distinctive chalk valley landscape, replicate natural drainage flows and establish the right growing conditions for calcareous grassland across the site. Innovation Showcase | Bechtel delivers Full Fibre Broadband, Innovation Showcase | Enhanced virtual meetings aid carbon reduction, Innovation Showcase | Schaeffler Bearings aid structural performance, Structural Fixings | Finding the right solution, London Underground upgrades to Northern line and Bank station gather pace, The future of engineering means bringing back the construction of Brunel, Decommissioning work gets underway for HS2’s Old Oak Common station. Construction plans for the biggest landscape and habitat creation project on High Speed 2 (HS2) have been revealed. In total, 65,000 trees and shrubs of 32 species will be planted along with 3.5km of hedgerows. The Colne Valley viaduct will be one of the longest viaducts in the UK, and one of HS2 ’s best-known structures. Here is an image derived from a map provided by the Department for Transport.The image shows the plan and the elevation of the viaduct.It seems to me that the viaduct will be between 8 and 15 metresabove the ground.If you click on the image and then click again, you can see a larger image. These include s-shaped sparsely vegetated banks for reptiles and invertebrates, and hibernacula to provide refuges for reptiles and amphibians, as well as localized variations in topography to provide niches for many species to colonize.”. “It demonstrates HS2’s approach to addressing many of the complex issues surrounding climate change and which are central to protecting our environment, and is a great example of how good design and planning can mitigate the effects of climate change.”. Almost 65,000 trees and shrubs of 32 species will be planted together with nearly 3.5km of new hedgerows. Digital Edition: Construction timeline for HS2’s huge Colne Valley landscape project Construction plans for the biggest landscape and habitat creation project on High Speed 2 (HS2) have been revealed. eigh Crowhurst, concluded: “A key to this project’s success has been the openly collaborative and innovative working environment, with the whole integrated design team collectively working towards a defined sustainable vision for the site. The plans represent the biggest single landscape and habitat creation project within HS2’s Green Corridor program, The project will contribute towards a localized net gain in biodiversity within the Colne Valley, 127 hectares of new chalk grassland, woodland, wood pasture and wetland habitats to be created, 65,000 trees and shrubs of 32 species, and 3.5 kilometers of new hedgerows to be planted. 8 March 2021. HS2 taking over Colne Valley Wetlands – will this provide Zero Net Carbon? “Our design team is passionate about achieving an enduring environmental legacy for the project and playing our part in addressing some the biggest issues of our time around climate change and biodiversity loss.”, Jacobs Landscape Design Lead for the Project, Leigh Crowhurst, concluded: “A key to this project’s success has been the openly collaborative and innovative working environment, with the whole integrated design team collectively working towards a defined sustainable vision for the site. The project has been being designed and delivered by HS2’s civils contractor Align, made up of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine and Volker Fitzpatrick. The Western Valley Slopes Exhibition is available here. A second precast plant will be used to cast sections for the nearby Colne Valley Viaduct. The design will deliver habitats that are the biggest and best possible, and those that will succeed and thrive over the long term with minimal human input. Align JV is working on behalf of HS2 Ltd to build 22 kilometres of the high speed rail line, running between the Colne Valley and the Chilterns. The controversial Government high speed rail project (HS2) is continuing to destroy wildlife habitats and ancient woodlands and to threaten our fresh drinking water supplies from the Mid Chilterns Chalk aquifer underlying the Mid Colne Valley in Hillingdon. The plans have provoked controversy. High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd. Programme. Some of these locations will never be the same again and we will keep a record of the changes as construction progresses. Buckinghamshire, UK. We use cookies to personalize and improve your experience on our site. HS2 plans in Colne Valley are to clear the wetland nature reserves and construct power stations, access roads, worksites and pile drive into an aquifer risks contaminating the drinking water of 3.2mllion people. The project is part of work in the Colne Valley and involves the creation of 127ha of new chalk grassland, woodland, wood pasture and wetland habitats. This includes the Chiltern twin-tunnels with their four vent shafts to regulate airflow, one intervention shaft and the … Field trials are in preparation ahead of final seeding and planting of trees and shrubs in 2025. It will also reduce the carbon footprint of the project by reducing road haulage and waste treatment activities and will enable habitats to sequester carbon by replacing arable land with natural habitats. 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