Conveyor network to move five million tonnes of HS2 excavated material

A conveyor network is set to do the work of one million lorries when carrying material that’s been dug up during the construction of HS2.

The 1.7-mile network, which will move more than five million tonnes of excavated material, was switched on by HS2 minister Huw Merriman at the Old Oak Common station site in west London today (November 23).

HS2 Ltd contractors, Balfour Beatty Vinci Systra and Skanska Costain Strabag have constructed the network which moves material from three locations to the HS2 Logistics Hub at Willesden Euro Terminal.

Freight trains will then take the waste to Rugby in Warwickshire, Cliffe in Kent and Barrington in Cambridgeshire, where it will be used to fill space for projects like housing developments.

Merriman said: “These conveyors are just one way in which HS2 is transforming the future of construction, by keeping the impact on the environment and local community to a minimum while driving growth across the country.”

Lee Holmes, HS2 Ltd’s station’s client director, said: “The launch of our conveyor system in west London is yet another important progress milestone for HS2 Ltd.

“This impressive network of conveyors means we are able to significantly reduce the impact of construction on the local area.

“Momentum on HS2 continues to build as the project nears peak construction, and systems like these conveyors are just one of the ways we are working to reduce carbon emissions in construction.”