Britlift provides extra precision for HS2 projects

More precise spreader beams have enabled complex lifting operations for a contractor working on HS2. The HS2 is Britain’s new high speed rail line being built from London to the North-West, with HS2 trains linking the biggest cities in Scotland, Manchester, Birmingham and London. It is the largest infrastructure project in Europe and said to be the most important economic and social regeneration project in decades.

London-based Züblin Ground Engineering specialises in complex infrastructure projects. It recently completed two HS2 projects run by the Skanska-Costain-Strabag joint venture, SCS JV Strabag is Züblin’s parent company.

At North Acton in London, the contractor has constructed a diaphragm wall for a crossover box in Victoria Road. The box, measuring up to 125m x 39m, will enable trains to switch tracks when entering or leaving Old Oak Common Station. Züblin required modular spreader beams for precise lifting of steel reinforcing cages for this project. It turned to Dorset, UK-based Britlift to provide the solution.

Steve Williams, lifting and logistics manager for Züblin Ground Engineering, says, “We had previously used another UK provider. However, Britlift provided us with a higher specification product that gave us greater precision – and at a competitive price.

“Our previous spreader beams were incrementally 500mm in length whereas Britlift’s beams are in 250mm increments, enabling us to make far more precise lifts. This made a huge difference as each lift had to be inch perfect. Without this additional precision, these operations would have been much more challenging.”

HS2 has strict emissions regulations on trucks taking materials and products to site, which meant that none of Britlift’s usual logistics partners could deliver. Britlift made the deliveries itself, with managing director, Liam Botting taking charge for one run.

“We were very impressed with the personal touch from Liam and the overall customer service,” added Williams. “They were able to deliver each order within a couple of days. Going forward, Britlift will be our principal provider of spreader beams.”

Züblin Ground Engineering has been solving the most difficult construction tasks for more than 115 years. Its specialist services extend from complex infrastructure projects to foundation work, turnkey excavation pits and immersed tube tunnels. Its expertise also covers ground freezing, dam rehabilitation and controlled drilling.

It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ed Züblin AG and is part of the Strabag SE group of companies, a European technology group for construction services. The group implements geotechnically challenging projects all over Europe and currently employs around 950 people in six countries.

Based in Dorset, UK, Britlift works with a global client base, providing an end-to-end lifting equipment engineering design service including calculations, design, manufacture, certification, and rig design. The qualified mechanical and structural engineers at Britlift will work with the client during the design phase, ensuring the most efficient, effective, safe and suitable solution is engineered, be that a lifting beam or frame, a bespoke handling or lifting tool, complex rig design, or FEA. Its Traditional Modular spreader beam is also available in a variety of standard sizes.