HS2 Long Itchington Wood Tunnel project - HS2

Project Overview

Served as Senior Engineer for PJ Davidson on the HS2 Long Itchington Wood Tunnel, overseeing the precise installation of track slabs, walkways, and base slabs within a highly constrained twin-bore tunnel environment. This project, forming part of a wider £5 million high-speed rail tunnel works package, required stringent adherence to rigorous technical specifications. Directed a dedicated team of site professionals, balancing high-precision surveying with rigorous health and safety compliance to ensure a secure working environment.

Execution & Key Deliverables

• •Directed the precise setting out and construction execution of track slabs, base slabs, and pedestrian walkways throughout the 2-mile high-speed rail tunnel.
• •Leveraged advanced Leica machine control systems, undertaking extensive calibration, operation, and maintenance to consistently achieve execution accuracies within 5mm.
• •Led, mentored, and managed a team of three site engineers, providing comprehensive training and guidance on the operation of Total Stations, GPS systems, laser levels, and EDMs.
• •Generated comprehensive site documentation to establish an auditable quality record, including detailed allocation sheets, task briefings, shift diaries, and return forms.

Technical Challenges & Solutions

• •Demonstrated proactive problem-solving by identifying and rectifying minor inaccuracies within the local coordinate system to prevent compound errors in the tunnel alignment.
• •Improvised and adapted construction drawings and structural models as necessary to ensure seamless on-site execution despite coordinate data discrepancies.
• •Submitted detailed Requests for Information (RFIs) and Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) to resolve technical discrepancies and maintain stringent high-speed rail quality standards.
• •Provided cost-effective engineering proposals, technical solutions, and design alternatives to optimize the construction methodology for the concrete tunnel infrastructur

Programme & Management

• •Directed and supervised the site workforce, enforcing strict adherence to health and safety policies to maintain a highly secure working environment in a high-risk subterranean setting.
• •Fostered continuous collaboration with procurement departments and site managers to ensure seamless resource allocation and mitigate logistical bottlenecks.
• •Issued accurate requisitions for materials and equipment procurement, aligning complex supply chain deliveries with the immediate requirements of the tunnel construction programme.
• •Conducted daily site diaries and weekly reports, actively participating in client meetings alongside site managers to discuss progress, anticipate potential issues, and optimize workflow