Ground engineering contractor Van Elle has commenced its first ground improvement contract on HS2.

Working with a Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, Van Elle will be utilising its vibro piling techniques to provide extensive embankment support, enabling the first phase of construction in north west London.

Claire Garrett, Ground Improvement Director at Van Elle, said: "HS2 is the most significant construction project the UK has seen in a generation, and we're delighted to be a part of it.

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"We've had some great success with vibro piling on infrastructure projects recently using specialist rigs that we have developed in-house and we’re looking forward to showing our capabilities in this area once more."

Van Elle will install more than 4,000 no. 600mm vibro stone columns between Gatemead and West Ruislip to strengthen the ground ahead of further construction. The project also involves field trials and probing exercise at each section in advance of the main works.

Work is expected last until Spring 2021.

Meanwhile, Van Elle’s specialist ground investigation company, Strata Geotechnics, is also delivering on HS2 as it works with RPS Group on the C3 section of the project.

Strata is currently working on the Brackley to South Portal of Long Itchington Wood Green Tunnel area of HS2, providing borehole drilling and window sampling support to RPS with work expected to continue until Christmas