The recycled TBM named Lydia will build an important logistic tunnel to supply ring segments to the main Euston twin bored tunnel.

‘Ellie’ dug two sections of the Crossrail tunnels in the Capital – from Limmo Peninsula in Canning Town to Royal Victoria Dock, and between Pudding Mill Lane and Stepney Green – boring a total of 2.23 miles.

Specialist TBM manufacturer Herrenknecht has expertly remanufactured components including the shield and the cutting wheel for the new machine.

Clients are looking for new contractors to finish a number of high-profile projects following the collapse of modular contractor Mid Group.

The offsite specialist ceased trading this week with all 37 staff made redundant.

Wokingham Borough Council is now looking for a replacement contractor to finish construction of new apartments at its Carnival Place scheme.

The residential project is part of the flagship Carnival Hub project where a new leisure centre opened this week and a new library is due for completion shortly.

The Enquirer understands that Wates is in discussions to complete the residential part of the project.

Cllr Clive Jones, leader of the council and executive member for business and economic development said: “Given the risks inherent in all building contracts of this type the Council has rigorous policies in place to handle situations like this and is reviewing options and risks to establish the best way forward.

“It is premature for the council to comment too much at this stage but, whilst the project is well advanced, a review of outstanding works will be carried out and, if necessary, the council will move forward with taking control of the site and appointing a new contractor to complete the final works.

“This situation has no impact on the Hub, which was built by our leisure contractors Pellikaan and opened as planned on Monday 25 July.

“The new library space at the Carnival Hub is also unaffected and remains on track to open in September this year.”

Mid Group was also working on a £37m contract for Clarion Housing Group for the 17-storey Boatyard scheme in Bristol.

Richard Cook, group development director for Clarion Housing Group, told the BBC: “We were saddened about the news relating to Mid Group.

Malcolm Codling, HS2’s Project Client for the London Tunnels, said: “The Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel is key to how we will be constructing the Euston Tunnel between Old Oak Common and HS2’s Euston station.

The logistics tunnel allows us to take 70,000 lorry journeys off the local roads that would otherwise have been required and will reduce the impact of HS2’s construction on the local community.”

Engineers from HS2’s contractor, Skanska Costain Strabag joint venture, have just launched the 847 tonne machine from the Atlas Road site in North Acton.

It will now spend six months on a 853m tunnel drive to the Old Oak Common Station site using over 500 tunnel rings.

Once complete the tunnel will be used to transport 8,010 tunnel segment rings to construct the Euston tunnel.

A conveyor system will also run through the logistics tunnel, and will connect to an existing conveyor at Atlas Road, taking the London clay being excavated to construct the Euston Tunnel to HS2 London Logistics Hub at Willesden Euro Terminal.

From there, the spoil will be taken by train for re-use at sites in Kent, Cambridgeshire and Rugby.

Original source: Crossrail TBM upcycled for HS2 logistics tunnel drive | Construction Enquirer News

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