HS2 unveils conveyor belt to move earth over Wendover

HS2 has today (August 4) revealed a spoil conveyor which will connect two construction sites outside of Wendover.

It aims to prevent 70,000 lorry journeys and should reduce disruption for residents.

It is 1.3km long and will connect two construction sites located on either side of A413 and local railway line located south of Wendover.

The conveyor is fully contained and hopes to minimise dust and noise, and is made of five parts which will be supported by bridges across the main road and the Chiltern railway line.

The conveyor will be used to carry 550,000 cubic metres of chalk and other materials which has been excavated from the site to be used elsewhere on the route.

The use of the conveyor will prevent the materials being carried by lorries on the roads.

HS2 Ltd’s project manager, Jason Bicknell noted that it is a “fantastic solution to avoid carbon emissions whilst being sensitive to the surrounding area of natural beauty, taking ecology and noise into consideration and ensuring we reduce impact to local residents.”

Similar conveyors have also been built in West London and Warwickshire.

The conveyor was built by HS2’s main contractor EKFB.

Their project manager Martin Gamble said: “Working with our supply chain partners, Blackwell Earthmoving and Hargreaves Industrial Services, this fully enclosed, temporary conveyer will help us move a large amount of material over the A413 quickly and safely.

“It’s more environmentally friendly than using HGVs by road and this is reducing road disruption for our local communities. This conveyer is a modular design so it can be dismantled and used on other sites to support the build programme across the project.”

Currently the first part of HS2 is being built which will connect London and Birmingham using trains by zero carbon energy.

It will then expand into the East Midlands and Manchester.

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