Emissions on track for HS2

11 June 2021

While it has both passionate advocates and fervent critics, there’s no denying that the HS2 high-speed rail project is illustrating the role that new construction techniques, including sustainable products, can play. 

Examples were displayed recently when HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson MP visited the new Curzon Street Station site in Birmingham. The purpose of the visit was to formally sign the contract with Mace Dragados, the Anglo-Spanish joint venture selected to be the main contractor for the £570m build. 

Equipment selected to be showcased included the GGR Group’s Galizia G150 battery powered pick-and-carry crane, supplied by Lifting Products UK, along with the GGR Faresin 626 electric telehandler (pictured), supplied by Murphy Group. The Faresin machine has also previously been trialled by HS2 and supplied by Flannery Group.

During the visit, the contractors were able to demonstrate how the use of emission-free machinery can help projects to comply with local environmental initiatives, as Birmingham is soon to officially launch its Clean Air Zone.

Mr Stephenson said: “As well as being net zero carbon in operation, Birmingham Curzon Street will create over 1,000 new jobs and 100 new apprenticeships.” 

Annette Forster, marketing director for GGR Group said: “We can see that green technology is becoming a more popular choice in the construction industry, and with Birmingham and other cities introducing their own Clean Air Zone initiatives, it is a key area of development for us to continue to innovate our range of lifting solutions”.

Other products being used at Curzon Street site include eco-hybrid trucks, an electric sweeper, a generator powered by hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and solar powered generators.