Keltbray, a leading UK specialist engineering business, today announces it has secured the contract to provide construction services for the first two ventilation shafts and head houses on HS2’s first two giant tunnel drives at Chalfont St Peter and Chalfont St Giles, on behalf of the Align Joint Venture that is delivering the Central 1 portion of HS2 Phase 1.

The shafts will provide ventilation and emergency access to the ten-mile long tunnels Align is digging under the Chiltern Hills. The scope of services Keltbray will provide include:

  • Reinforced concrete works at the base of the shafts, to create a collar structure to enable the TBMs to pass through the base of the shaft
  • Internal shaft construction works to build slip-formed concrete cores and lining walls
  • Excavation and substructure construction of Head House buildings

Excavation of the first shaft to a depth of 78m located close to the village of Chalfont St Peter has already been completed, ready for Keltbray to start work. After the construction is complete the shaft will be topped with a head house inspired by nearby barns and other agricultural buildings to help it fit into the surrounding landscape.

Below ground level, the shaft will reach down to the twin tunnels, with fans and other equipment designed to regulate air quality and temperature, remove smoke in the event of a fire, and provide access for maintenance and emergency services.

Tim Lohmann, Director of Strategic Engineering at Keltbray, commented:  “Keltbray is delighted to have secured this major package of rail infrastructure works with the Align JV to deliver on this important opportunity for HS2. The tunnels form part of the HS2 network that will help connect the country, create thousands of jobs and rebalance the UK economy. We’re delighted to be involved in such a historic project.”

Ends

Image credit: HS2

 

Media Enquiries

Nina Fairfowl, Corporate Communications Manager and Group Inclusion Manager

Keltbray Holdings Limited

Tel: 07395 792301

Email: [email protected]

 

Philip Pashley

Group Director, Corporate Communications

Keltbray Holdings Limited

Tel: 07860 954620

Email: [email protected]

 

Notes for Editors

About Keltbray

Keltbray is a leading UK specialist engineering and construction services business, offering a unique self-delivery capability spanning key phases of the construction value chain – civil engineering, geotechnical, asbestos management, demolition, piling and reinforced concrete structures, decommissioning, remediation, rail, power distribution and transmission, and environmental services.

The company was founded in 1976 and is privately owned, directly employs over 1,700 people, and is a key delivery partner to blue-chip public and private sector customers, contributing to the development and maintenance of Britain’s rapidly changing economic infrastructure and built environment.

Keltbray provides certainty of delivery to meet the needs of diverse and complex projects. Its professionally trained employees take pride in delivering safely and sustainably, on time, to budget, and with care for the environment and our communities. Keltbray has successfully completed a range of high profile construction projects on schemes including The Shard, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium, St Pancras International, Crossrail, Earls Court, Battersea Power Station, Ferrybridge Power Station decommissioning and HS2.