News on HS2 in Cheshire

Ground Investigation (GI) works are underway at sites along the Phase 2a route that travels through part of Cheshire up to Crewe. GI is an essential part of delivering HS2 because before we can build the railway, we need to understand the ground we’ll build it on.

Ground investigations are undertaken through a range of techniques, including drilling into the ground and taking samples of rock and soil, which are analysed in specialist laboratories.

Information from our Ground Investigations will guide design solutions for the structures we want to build, such as bridges and viaducts, along with road and river diversions, tunnels, cuttings and embankments. Data from GI will ensure that the contractors who design and build the main works can do so safely, economically and efficiently.

We recently invited parish councils along the line of route to visit some of our GI sites. Representatives of Weston and Basford Parish Council and Hough and Chorlton Parish Council, as well as Crewe Town Council, were among those who took up the offer, and visited our Manor Farm compound. The visit gave them an insight into how and why our GI works are carried out, and enabled them to see the work take place for themselves. They also met the senior foreman and had a chance to ask questions.

The councillors got to witness the borehole method used to extract samples at first hand on a site not far from the compound.

We are hoping that other parish councils will come and visit the site to learn more about this process, and its significance for the local communities they represent.

Here is some feedback from Crewe Town Council regarding the GI site visit:

Steve McQuade, Crewe Town Council - "I was really pleased to accept the invitation from the HS2 team to visit the preparatory works that herald the arrival of a world class train line into Crewe, which throughout its history has been at the heart of the rail network. I learnt that the project is happening, as I have seen the preliminary investigation work that is going ahead.

The geotechnical work has commenced and will inform where and how the tracks are laid for this enterprise. It certainly provides clear tangible evidence that this project has started in line with the hopes and expectations of my members"