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Drones search out Skylarks on HS2’s route

Thermal image showing a skylark’s nest as a bright ‘warm’ spot.

The HS2 route passes through some lovely countryside. That’s been one are of complaint from naturalists and ecologists, who don’t want a railway interfering with the view.

However, High Speed Two Limited is well aware of its responsibilities and the need to cause the minimum amount of damage and harm as it builds Britain’s essential new railway.

A good example is the need to monitor Skylarks in order to protect the species at the site of the Chiltern tunnel portal, near the M25 in Buckinghamshire.

Roadbridge, a sub-contractor to Align JV – the main works civils contractor that is delivering the portion of HS2 that includes the Chiltern Tunnel, has successfully adopted thermal drone imaging to monitor Skylarks in order to dramatically increase the accuracy of environmental surveys and enable faster and more effective results for ecologists working on the project.

Monitoring nesting bird populations is crucial, providing accurate information which results in more effective ecological mitigation to protect the natural environment around work sites. At twelve metres above ground level, the drone captures approximately a nine square metre area, providing a reduction in search times, and a clear perspective from a 90-degree view of the ground below.

Using a thermal camera, the drone can calibrate to the ground temperature and other objects to lock onto a heat source and identify the bird nests. This includes birds on the nest, eggs on the nest and birds sheltering on the ground.

Even in closeup, Skylark eggs are hard to spot.

Exclusion zones are then put on Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings and into the Global Positioning System (GPS) of machinery working on site to let operators know when they are working near exclusion zones, to protect nests and allow works to progress safely.

During the initial trial, which Roadbridge conducted in association with Matt Dutton from Drone Media Productions, five nests were found in three hours of drone survey time using one drone operator and one ecologist, compared to one nest found in 20 hours of survey time using traditional methods. Traditional surveys require ecologists to observe the Skylarks flying then running to their nest, and to use walking transect surveys to accurately locate them, which can be invasive and sometimes ineffective, resulting in much larger exclusion zones being required.

HS2 continues to undertake one of the largest ecological survey programmes in the UK, with some of the country’s most experienced and leading ecological consultants working on the project. Surveys provide detailed information on the impacts of the scheme and enable the best mitigation to be adopted to reduce impacts and develop opportunities to leave a better natural environment legacy.

HS2’s environment director Peter Miller said: “HS2 places a huge emphasis on ecological protection and we actively encourage our supply chain to use innovative technologies like this to refine and improve the way we collect information on species.

“As well as delivering a low carbon railway, that will help reduce transport pollution and improve air quality, HS2 is committed to creating a Green Corridor of richer, more diverse and better-connected landscapes along the railway. The Colne Valley area, where the drone surveys took place, is renowned for its rich landscape and biodiversity, so proactive environmental survey and monitoring is crucial in order to protect the local ecology.”

Nest on drone camera – The drone sends video images back to the operator who can then identify the skylark’s nests.

Vincent Ryan, environmental advisor at Roadbridge, added: “Skylark populations have dramatically declined since the 1970s predominately due to changes in agricultural practices and reduced areas of grassland to breed in.

“As ground-nesting birds, Skylarks are one of the most difficult birds to survey, and in a construction environment it is very important to be able to accurately locate their small and well camouflaged nests in order to mitigate appropriately.

“One of the contributing factors that influenced us to find innovative alternatives to ecological surveying and mitigation was the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to restrictions on site to carry out surveys. Our solution was to use the advanced technology of thermal imaging drones, and we were pleased to find they provided a highly accurate and faster survey method than traditional survey techniques, allowing us to find nests in grassland areas and monitor fledging success with minimal disturbance.”

Tyne & Wear Metro secures additional government funding to prolong its maintenance programme

Tyne and Wear Metro has secured additional government funding to keep its programme of essential infrastructure renewal works going after March 2021.

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, has been running the £350 million ‘All Change’ programme since 2010. It has now secured an additional £20 million to keep the programme running after the official end date of March 2021. Nexus also confirmed it was working with the Department for Transport to secure further investment through to 2025 in this year’s Spending Review.

The funding that has been announced is capital investment and Nexus confirmed that it remains in talks with the DfT about a further bailout to support Metro running costs amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council and chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said: “This is funding that will allow vital modernisation work on Metro’s ageing infrastructure to continue.

“Let me be clear, while I welcome the investment, this represents only a small portion of what is needed to continue upgrading key assets across the Metro over the next five years and Nexus has been working with civil servants for over a year in order to ensure continuity of this vital funding. I expect that additional funding for this important work will be announced later in the year.

“Meanwhile, the Metro remains in dire need of a further financial support to meet its running costs due to the effects of the COVID pandemic.

“Metro is a vital local service and is part of everyday life in our region. We need to ensure the system is kept running for the people of Tyne and Wear and I do urge ministers to confirm an extension of the emergency funding which is set to run out on 4 August.”

IMAGE CAPTION:

VolkerRail carrying out essential track modernisation work at Crossgate viaduct on the Tyne and Wear Metro system in South Tyneside. (Photo: VolkerRail)

New British-made face coverings kill bacteria

Raj Kumari-Byford.

At a time when the British public is being asked to wear a face covering when on trains, in shops and enclosed spaces, 1TcA has launched the first British-made reusable, sustainable and recyclable face masks and snoods manufactured using GRS fabric woven from recycled waste plastic and treated with HeiQ Viroblock technology.

1TcA (One Thought Changes All) was set up by Raj Kumari-Byford in March in response to Covid-19 to hear more about the positive steps, and impact she was leaving on the professional clothing industry and the local and global community.

Working in collaboration with sustainability driven business Project Plan B, 1TcA was aware of the risk of face coverings acting as vectors for viruses and bacteria. Before, during and after use there is a risk of fabric contamination and the transfer of pathogens to and from the surface of the face masks: when putting them on and taking them off, during disposal and when touching the mask whilst wearing or during adjustment of the fit.

The addition of HeiQ Viroblock technology makes the fabric resistant to harmful microbes. HeiQ Viroblock is one of the first textile finishing technologies that have been successfully tested against the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, SARS-CoV-2, in the laboratory, using the Viral Stability and Persistence test method.

Fabrics and textiles treated with HeiQ Viroblock are resistant to microbes, germs, viruses and bacteria. It inhibits the persistence and growth of viruses and bacteria on the fabric and is a combination of HeiQ’s specially engineered antimicrobial silver technology and a vesicle technology. The silver releases silver-ions to kill the bacteria and inhibit their growth.

HeiQ Viroblock is certified as safe and sustainable as all its ingredients are cosmetic grade, bio-based and recycled. 1TcA masks and snoods not only tackle the issue of cross contamination and help protect the end user from viruses/germs/bacteria but are also environmentally friendly. The treatment on the face covering lasts for up to 30 washes at energy saving 30°C.

The fabric offers durability and has a soft touch and is comfortable for end users to wear for extended periods of time. The expected life span of these products is approximately 1 year, after which they can be returned for recycling and this ensures a cyclical closed loop that doesn’t endanger the planet and maintains the ecosystem.

The team at 1TcA consists of three mothers who enlisted support from the Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW) to help facilitate the launch of this project. All net profits from the sales of 1TcA face coverings will go towards funding sustainable charity development projects in the UK and globally.

1TcA founder Raj Kumari-Byford commented: “Our durable and reusable face coverings offer an ethical and environmentally sound solution to worker protection. I consider it my moral obligation to help protect end users from Covid-19, as well as helping to reduce the environmental impact caused by wide scale use of disposable face masks.”

1TcA face masks and snoods are available immediately.

Crossrail delayed yet again

Crossrail’s board has met to consider the latest update from its leadership team concerning the impact of COVID-19 on progress to complete the Elizabeth line. This is now in its complex final stages with a comprehensive plan to complete the railway focused on completing the remaining construction and systems integration followed by intensive operational testing.

Due to a pause of physical activity on sites and significant constraints on ongoing work due to CoVID-19, time has been lost, only some of which can be recovered.  As a result, the opening of the central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood next summer, as announced earlier this year prior to COVID-19, is not achievable.

Further work is required on the detailed recovery plan which re-sequences the remaining work to complete the railway and fully assess the financial implications of COVID-19 on the programme.  A more comprehensive update will be issued in due course. Meanwhile, work continues to refine and validate the remaining work schedule and associated costs.

Mark Wild, Crosrail chief executive said: “Everyone working on the Crossrail project knows London needs the Elizabeth line more than ever and we are doing everything possible to deliver the railway as safely and as quickly as we can. We have a comprehensive plan to complete the railway but existing schedule pressure, along with COVID-19, has impacted the programme and time has been lost. Further work is being undertaken to finalise our detailed recovery plan which re-sequences the remaining work.

“We are striving to commence intensive operational testing for the Elizabeth line, known as Trial Running, at the earliest opportunity. Our focus right now is on completing the remaining infrastructure works so that we can fully test the railway.

“Crossrail will undertake a period of intensive construction activity starting this August across the tunnels, portals and shafts to help recover lost time and complete the remaining construction works for Trial Running as we progress towards this next important phase.”

Mayor of London launches independent review of TfL’s long-term future funding

Following on from news of the government’s review of Transport for London’s financial position and structure, Mayor of London Sadiq has announced that an independent panel of experts has begun a review of TfL’s long term future funding and financing options.

The government’s review was one of the conditions for the extraordinary funding and financing agreement reached with TfL during the Coronavirus lockdown. Both the Mayor and TfL agreed to the government’s conditions for the funding, which included the financial review.

The Mayor’s independent review will be carried out by a panel with significant experience of public policy, government reviews and reform of public bodies. It will develop options for TfL’s long-term future funding and financing models that would enable TfL to deliver the right services for London, invest in new and existing infrastructure and continue to contribute to London’s development and sustainability.

The panel’s work will be carried out in parallel with the previously announced Government review of TfL’s finances, and is expected to conclude in September. No limits have been set on the breadth of the review, and the panel is completely independent from both TfL and the Greater London Authority (GLA). The panel will not be paid a fee.

Membership of the panel is:

  • TC Chew, global rail business leader at Arup, chartered engineer and a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering;
  • Stephen Glaister CBE, emeritus professor of transport and infrastructure at Imperial College London, a member of the Board of TfL 2000 to 2008 and member of the 2019 Oakervee Review of HS2;
  • Bridget Rosewell CBE, chair of Atom Bank and of the M6 Toll company and a commissioner for the National Infrastructure Commission;
  • Sir Jonathan Taylor, vice president of the European Investment Bank from 2013 until 2019.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, TfL had achieved significant progress in reducing its operating deficit, despite significant challenges, while still delivering a wide range of improvements to the Tube, bus and rail network during the last financial year.

As recently as the start of March 2020, TfL was still forecasting it would reduce its like-for-like operating deficit by 86 per cent by the end of the 2019/20 compared to the end of 2015/16 and had already increased its cash balance by 31 per cent to £2.2 billion.

However, since the Government Operating Grant was removed, leaving TfL as one of the only public transport networks in Western Europe with no regular government subsidy, around 70 per cent of TfL’s income to operate the network has come from fares, meaning the impact  of the coronavirus pandemic severely affected TfL’s finances.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “London’s public transport network is central to life in our city and will be essential to our recovery. Despite TfL’s strong financial position going into this pandemic, Coronavirus has had a devastating effect on TfL’s finances, which rely on fare income. Despite the huge strides made in reducing TfL’s operating deficit over the past few years it is clearer than ever that the current funding structure is not fit for purpose.

“It is vital that we find a new solution to support not only London but the wider economy, so I am really pleased that an independent panel of experts will review TfL’s long term funding and financing options.”

Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “Throughout the 20 year life of Transport for London, all Mayors have made a powerful case for investment in public transport to support the economic, social and environmental health of the city and country. This matters now more than ever as growing numbers of people return to public transport as part of a rapid and sustainable recovery from coronavirus.

“Prudent financial management had placed TfL on the cusp of breaking even for the first time in its history and with strong financial reserves.  However, the pandemic has revealed that the current funding model, with its heavy reliance on fare revenue, simply doesn’t work when faced with such a shock.

“This important review will examine the options for new and more robust arrangements to provide firmer foundations into the future. Securing TfL’s short and long-term financial future as part of our post-covid recovery is one of my top priorities and I look forward to assisting the panel in their work.”

Government to invest £589 million in kickstarting rail upgrades across the North

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced a £589 million kickstart for work on the Transpennine main line between Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester.

He is also establishing a new Northern Transport Acceleration Council, dedicated to accelerating vital infrastructure projects that will connecting communities across the North’s towns and cities.

The most congested section of the route will be doubled from two to four tracks, allowing fast trains to overtake slower ones, improving journey times and reliability for passengers across the North. Most of the line will be electrified, although the Department for Transport’s ambition is to go further. Full electrification, digital signalling, more multi-tracking and improved freight capacity are all now under consideration as part of an “Integrated Rail Plan” that is due to report in December.

Those improvements would allow all-electric services between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, York and Newcastle; bring longer and more frequent trains and create significantly more local capacity along the line.

Upgrades to allow more freight on the route, replacing thousands of diesel lorry journeys with electric freight trains, will also be considered in the Plan.

Work is also under way to tackle the bottlenecks at either end of the route, without which the upgrade’s potential cannot be fulfilled. Leeds station is being resignalled and a new platform is being built. In central Manchester, development funding was awarded last month to tackle rail congestion.

The new Northern Transport Acceleration Council will ensure northern leaders have a direct line to ministers and has been formed with the desire to cut bureaucracy and red tape so passengers can get the modern, reliable transport network they deserve as quickly as possible.

As part of the government’s wider strategy to level up communities and strengthen devolution, the council’s work will engage with Department for Transport staff based in northern cities and dedicated to delivering for the North.

Transport Secretary and Northern Powerhouse Minister Grant Shapps said: “People across the North rightly expect action, progress and ambition, and this government is determined to accelerate improvements as we invest billions to level up the region’s infrastructure.

“We are determined to build back better at pace, and this new council will allow us to engage collectively and directly with elected northern leaders to build the vital projects the region is crying out for.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak added: “Levelling-up opportunity will be key in our recovery from Coronavirus – and our long-term success will rely on having world-class infrastructure in all parts of the country. The Transpennine rail upgrade shows we are delivering on our promises to the North.”

The rail industry welcomed the announcements.  Darren Caplan, chief executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: “Today’s announcement on progressing the Transpennine Route Upgrade and the establishment of a Northern Transport Acceleration Council are both positive signs that the government is serious about the role of rail schemes in generating an economic recovery following the Coronavirus outbreak.

“Following the stepping up of RIA’s ‘Speed Up Rail Enhancements’ campaign earlier this month, these announcements shows a clear impetus to make rail a central part of the Government’s ‘build, build, build’ agenda.”

HS2 vent shaft headhouse at Chalfont St Peter designed to fit into landscape

HS2 has published its final design for the Chalfont St Peter vent shaft headhouse – the first of four similar structures that will provide ventilation and emergency access to the high-speed rail line’s 10-mile-long Chiltern tunnel.

Set back from the road, the design of the single-story building takes its inspiration from the style of local barns and other agricultural buildings, allowing it to fit into the surrounding landscape.

The building will be wrapped in a simple grey zinc roof with doors and vent openings picked out in a dark bronze colour to provide contrast. The pre-weathered grey zinc roof will age naturally over time, without loss of robustness or quality, while the whole structure will sit on a simple dark blue brick base.

Below ground level, a 60 metre ventilation shaft will reach down to the twin tunnels below, with fans and other equipment designed to regulate air quality and temperature in the tunnels, remove smoke in the event of a fire and provide access for the emergency services.

Chalfont St Peter 3D PDF – Flat PSD.

Mature trees along the existing boundary are being retained as far as possible and, once construction is complete, the whole site will be landscaped with new trees and hedgerows planted to help screen the site from neighbouring properties. The overall scale and visual impact of the building has also been significantly reduced.

Bird boxes, reptile basking banks, a grass snake laying heap and a hibernaculum will also be created to encourage wildlife to return. Material excavated from the shaft will be used to create much of the landscaping and avoid putting extra lorries onto local roads.

The plans have been drawn up by HS2’s main works contractor Align JV – a team made up of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerFitzpatrick – working with its design partners Jacobs and Ingerop-Rendel, architect Grimshaw and landscape designers LDA.

Rohan Perin, HS2’s C1 project client director, said: “HS2 remains committed to work proactively with residents, wider community and our stakeholders to be a good neighbour during the build phase.

“Once construction is complete, the headhouse at Chalfont St Peter will be one of very few structures of the Chiltern tunnels that will be visible to residents living nearby. That’s why it’s critical that we get the design right.”

Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail orders 41 hybrid-ready MTU power packs from Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce Power Systems is to commence manufacture of its first order for MTU power packs that are prepared for future use as hybrid traction units.

Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail has ordered 41 of these MTU Hybrid-ready PowerPacks, fitted with MTU 6H 1800 R86 engines that comply with the EU Stage V emissions directives. Each delivers 375kW from the diesel engine as well as 150kW from the integrated electrical motor.

Delivery is to commence in 2021, and the PowerPacks are to power Class 22000 trains on scheduled services from late 2022.

At a later, yet to be decided, stage, Rolls-Royce could equip these PowerPacks with batteries, turning them into fully-fledged MTU Hybrid PowerPacks.

MTU Hybrid complete with with batteries.

The order is a further milestone in the partnership between Rolls-Royce and Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail. This currently includes refurbishing the fleet with new transmissions and testing both conventional EU Stage V and hybrid traction systems from 2021. Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail also plans to introduce into service further MTU Hybrid PowerPacks in the future.

Peter Smyth, chief mechanical engineer at Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail, said: “Reducing the exhaust emissions of our trains is a key part of our commitment to sustainability and to the strategic ‘Ireland 2040’ project, and with Rolls-Royce we have the right traction partner on board to help us do that.”

Jürgen Blassmann, head of rail business at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “We are delighted to be playing this pioneering role with our strategic partner Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail in shaping the future of environmentally friendly rail transport. The series production MTU traction systems we are now supplying set new standards for cleanliness, reliability and fuel economy.

“Following conversion to MTU Hybrid PowerPacks, Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail will use these drive systems to make fuel savings of over 30%, depending on the route, also reducing CO2 emissions by the same amount.”

A total of 234 MTU PowerPacks have been powering the Class 22000 trains for many years. In 2018, the partners agreed to refurbish MTU PowerPacks with new transmissions to achieve fuel savings of almost 20 per cent.

That same year, Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail announced its intention to trial MTU PowerPacks for the EU Stage V emissions standard. In a second step, these are now to be converted to Hybrid PowerPacks starting next year. Trials of the EU Stage V PowerPacks are scheduled to get underway this August, following which all nine PowerPacks will be converted to Hybrid PowerPacks and commence operation at the end of 2021.

Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail will also explore options to convert its fleet to hybrid operation at a later stage once the test runs have been successfully completed.

Image above: Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail Class 22000 train.

Alstom and Eversholt Rail to invest a further £1 million in hydrogen-powered trains

Hydrogen power on Britain’s railways has become one step closer as Eversholt Rail and Alstom have announced a further £1 million investment in the Breeze hydrogen train, creating an entirely new class of train, the first-ever 600 series.

This major investment will underpin other initiatives in the hydrogen sector and will mean that the Breeze will be ready for early deployment in the UK to meet the government’s need to decarbonise the rail industry and any subsequent national hydrogen strategy.

The Breeze trains will be built at Alstom’s Widnes Transport Technology Centre, which will become Alstom’s worldwide centre of excellence for hydrogen conversion when this project is in series production, creating over 200 high quality engineering jobs in the North West, crucial for the Prime Minister’s levelling-up agenda.

When powered by green hydrogen, these trains offer true zero-emission mobility, not just zero emission at point of use. The only emission from a hydrogen train is water; it produces no harmful particulate or gaseous emissions.

The pioneering of a hydrogen train fleet is a notable step in the path towards decarbonising the UK railway. As Breeze will be the first UK train fleet to use the Class 6xx category, it will bear the classification ‘600’. Both Eversholt Rail and Alstom are delighted with this recognition.

Hydrogen trains are ideally suited to regional rail services on routes that are not currently electrified. Alstom has already proven that hydrogen trains are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution with the success of the Coradia iLint in Germany. This new investment will ensure that Breeze trains are ready for swift deployment in the UK wherever electrification with overhead wires might be impractical or visually intrusive.

“It’s time to jump-start the UK hydrogen revolution,” said Nick Crossfield, Alstom’s managing director for UK & Ireland. “With the Government looking to invest in green technologies, Alstom and Eversholt Rail have deepened our already extensive commitment to this job-creating technology with a further million-pound investment.

“This bold move to back the Government’s ambitions on hydrogen means we are the only game in town if you want a shovel ready British hydrogen train. The Breeze is good to go, wherever the Government commits to upgrading Britain’s railway with hydrogen trains.”

Mary Kenny, CEO of Eversholt Rail, added: “Eversholt Rail has a proud record of innovation in key rolling stock technologies and this further investment in the Breeze programme demonstrates our commitment to providing timely, cost-effective solutions to the identified need for hydrogen trains to support the decarbonisation of the UK railway.”

Dyer & Butler completes platform extensions at three station in the South East

Dyer & Butler has completed major platform extension works at three stations on behalf of Network Rail as part of the £150 million Gatwick Airport station renovation.

The multi-disciplined engineering services specialist’s engineers extended the platforms at Cooksbridge, Lancing and Goring-by-Sea to improve accessibility and reduce overcrowding for commuters and leisure travellers across the South East. The investment will also ensure that longer trains can be accommodated and avoid blocking level crossings.

To provide greater capacity for passengers, Southern Railway will increase the length of some trains operating along coastal routes to Eastbourne, Hastings, Worthing and Littlehampton, to eight carriages.

Paul Harwood, regional investment director for Network Rail, said: “These works support the vital Gatwick Airport station upgrade and the platform extensions will ensure we continue to provide a railway, which meets the needs of the communities and economies we serve in years to come.

“We look forward to passengers reaping the benefits of more spacious, more frequent and longer trains which will provide more people with opportunities to travel.”

Chris Darlow, Rail Director at Dyer & Butler, commented: “We are delighted to have successfully completed this platform extension programme on behalf of Network Rail. The increased platform capacity and the introduction of the longer trains will greatly transform the experience of passengers and likewise progress the service of the railway to ensure that journeys are safe and comfortable for all.”

(Photo: Network Rail)

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