Bachy Soletanche - Supports the opening of High Speed 1
With the long awaited opening of High
Speed 1 at St Pancras International Station on November
14, leading geotechnical specialist, Bachy Soletanche
Limited (BSL) takes a look back on some of the projects
it has undertaken for this groundbreaking high speed
railway.
Director of Bachy Soletanche Limited, Robin Abraham
commented:
“We are delighted that after several years of hard work
and dedication by everyone involved, the first
passengers will descend on St Pancras International
Station and travel to Paris. For BSL it was an honour to
be part of what is set to be an important element to the
UK’s rail network.”
BSL has provided a range of techniques along the way
from projects such as large diameter piling for the
Medway Viaduct, to deep shafts in East London and piling
and foundation work for St Pancras Station itself,
including the formation of the Thameslink Box. Other
specialist geotechnical techniques were also used,
including diaphragm walling, contiguous and secant pile
walling and specialist grouting.
The Medway Viaduct was one of the first structures to be
built in the early stages of the High Speed 1 project
and runs parallel to the M2 road bridge. Robin Abraham
explained:
“The main span piling was undertaken from two coffer
dams within the river. These enabled the formation of a
pile cap from which the main columns were sprung.”
In the second phase of the project, BSL was part of a
joint venture which delivered a section of the main
running tunnels. Works included the formation of deep
diaphragm walled shafts on compact urban sites where
logistical and environmental considerations were
paramount.
Most significantly BSL has worked alongside joint
venture partners Costain, Laing O’Rourke and Emcor Rail
as part of the team that has delivered St Pancras
Station. This critical project was constrained by the
fact that the station remained fully operational for the
duration of the works. Therefore, due consideration had
to be given to the trains entering and leaving the
station, the general public and the fact that the area
is partly residential.
With High Speed 1 now finally complete, BSL can look
back on the fact that its knowledge and expertise in
foundations and underground engineering has undoubtedly
made a major contribution to its success. Furthermore,
with the rail industry continuing its regeneration of
the UK’s network, High Speed 1 provides a strong
foundation for BSL to build on.
Email:
fiona@manifestcomms.co.uk
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No. 07334149
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