Overview
The proposals being presented as part of this consultation outline how the project would be constructed. EWR Co is at a very early stage of developing the construction approach. In developing the design for the project and its construction, EWR Co has focused on key principles including connectivity along the route and access to and between new items of infrastructure. As designs progress, more detailed construction methods will be developed and opportunities identified to complete the works quicker and more efficiently.
To deliver the project, a series of temporary construction compounds would be established along the route. Main compounds and satellite compounds of various sizes would be used. Potential locations for temporary main construction compounds are identified on the plans provided as part of this consultation. These have been located to allow both for efficient construction but also to lessen potential environmental impacts and disturbance to local people. For each compound the land usage, traffic route and access provisions will be carefully considered and further information presented at the statutory consultation.
Industry best practices to control noise, dust, vibration and light pollution at each compound would be applied and controlled through the Code of Construction Practice (CoCP).
At the statutory consultation details will be provided on matters including the construction delivery programme, the strategic approach to managing and moving bulk earthworks material (mass haul), construction traffic routes, workforce numbers, and the general specification of construction equipment and working methods.
Timing and construction sequence
Construction works would start after the approval of the DCO. Each of the route sections would have principal construction activities and dependencies that would drive the overall programme duration; these are described within the pages for the Project and its impacts, which outline the project and describe its potential environmental impacts and mitigation.
The general sequence of construction would be as follows:
- Site clearance and habitat protection works followed by archaeological investigations where needed, as well as early environmental mitigation works such as species relocations and early habitat creation.
- Creation of site compounds and undertaking of utility diversions if required.
- Construction of the main structures including embankments, cuttings, bridges, viaducts and drainage.
- For the sections of new railway, installation of track and rail systems would be undertaken in coordination across all route sections before the testing of the trains and systems.
- For existing railway, this testing would be done in stages throughout construction where modifications are made to enable the continued operation of the railway for existing train services.
Construction planning and logistics
Construction routes will be carefully assessed, and local highway and planning authorities consulted on logistics proposals. During design development, construction traffic will be assessed at each proposed compound and the impact on both the local and strategic road network would be reviewed.
To enable the efficient and safe construction of some elements of the new railway, it may be necessary to temporarily divert or close public highways and public rights of way (PRoW). EWR Co will take account of the needs of all users and consult and communicate proposals with the local authorities, National Highways and the emergency services, as well as with local communities to check that suitable options have been considered. This would include arrangements at any affected level crossings, which would be managed in conjunction with Network Rail.
EWR Co will develop a detailed mass haul strategy which would integrate with the design of the major earthworks and the proposed temporary haul routes. To support this, haul routes would be constructed alongside the proposed rail corridor where possible to reduce disruption to surrounding roads. The mass haul strategy would seek to balance the quantities of earthwork materials needed for embankments with materials excavated from cuttings and tunnel structures both to reduce construction traffic on the roads and for efficient use of materials.
To enable a more efficient construction programme and reduce environmental impacts associated with construction traffic, locations for a temporary logistics hub with a connection to the East Coast Main Line are being considered. The temporary logistics hub (addressed under Roxton to east of St Neots) would enable materials to be delivered by rail to support the construction of the track and railway systems elements between Bedford and Cambridge.
