HS2’s Burton Green tunnel structurally complete

HS2’s Burton Green tunnel structurally complete

The 16-metre-wide twin-box-shaped tunnel will carry high-speed trains beneath the village of Burton Green, near Kenilworth. The internal wall separates trains travelling north to Birmingham, Manchester and Scotland, and south towards HS2’s two London stations in Old Oak Common and Euston.

Now structurally complete, engineers and ecologists will turn their attention towards the tunnel’s 500-metre-long ‘green roof’, to ensure the structure blends seamlessly into the natural landscape, with ample green space above for local communities to enjoy.

Doug Barnett, Senior Project Manager for HS2 Ltd, said: “With the main civil engineering complete, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the 150-strong team on the ground, we can now begin the next phase of this exciting project.

“We look forward to working with local communities to bring the bold design vision for Burton Green tunnel to life, maximising the potential of this new green space.”

A strong focus has been placed on connectivity and access to the new green space for local communities – linking both sides of the village of Burton Green. Once fully complete, the Kenilworth Greenway will be reinstated close to its original alignment. It will run above the new tunnel to provide a link from Balsall Common to Kenilworth, via Burton Green, for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.

Tim Akers, Design Manager from the Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture, said: “A range of techniques were incorporated into the design to enable construction through this narrow corridor within the village. The end result will be a railway within a landscape, where the original character of the Kenilworth Greenway and ecological connectivity to the wider landscape are restored over the buried tunnel.”

Excavated material from the tunnel is currently being reused for wider landscaping works, in line with HS2’s sustainability commitments. Large-scale planting of native trees and shrubs will provide biodiverse habitats for wildlife and re-establish vegetated connections to Black Waste Wood and Little Poors Wood.

HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), is working closely with community groups and schools to explore ways in which they can enhance the Greenway experience whilst celebrating the area’s unique landscape, ecology and heritage.

Rupert Blake, Project Manager for BBV, said: “The structural completion of Burton Green tunnel is a huge moment for BBV and our supply chain partners, who’ve worked tirelessly over the last five years to get us here. 

“A range of construction techniques have been used to deliver this complex engineering project, showcasing the team’s skill, expertise and resilience. The next step is to install a 500-metre green roof on top of the structure, so it integrates into the natural landscape.”

BBV’s civil engineering team is now working on the final elements of the tunnel, including the escape walkway to the south of the tunnel, and the application of fire-proof protection to the upper tunnel walls.

As the tunnel runs underneath Burton Green village, the team had to carefully plan the whole construction schedule to ensure vehicle and pedestrian access could be maintained.

Cromwell Lane, which links both sides of the village, was temporarily diverted during the construction. In October, following the completion of vital utilities works, it will reopen on its original realignment.

Recognising its significance to local communities, throughout the construction phase HS2 also created a temporary route for the Kenilworth Greenway. This starts at the site of the Burton Green Village Hall and then follows the existing field boundaries linking with Berkswell Station in the northwest.

Galldris Group were the main civils subcontractor and have played a key role in the delivery of Burton Green tunnel and its associated retaining structures, with a direct workforce of over 100 people based on-site.

Ibrahim Arshad, Senior Project Manager from Galldris Group, said: “From start to finish, we have provided engineering expertise, detailed planning and self-delivery capabilities to safely deliver this complex section of HS2.

“Working collaboratively with Balfour Beatty VINCI, the design joint venture and the wider supply chain, we are proud to have contributed to the structural completion of one of HS2’s most significant green tunnels.”

Burton Green tunnel is one of five ‘green tunnels’ being built on the route of the railway. The cut and cover design means they are shallower than deep twin-bore tunnels, and each tunnel will be finished with trees, plants and shrubs on top, helping them blend into the landscape.  The four other green tunnels are Copthall in outer London, Wendover in Buckinghamshire and Chipping Warden and Greatworth, both in Northamptonshire.

HS2 Ltd CEO Mark Wild is now leading a comprehensive reset of the project to ensure that it is delivered as efficiently as possible and for the lowest reasonable cost. The 140-mile railway is now at a peak construction between London and the West Midlands, with improvements in productivity made over the last year and key milestones now being reached across the route. This includes the recent successful operation to push HS2’s tallest viaduct into place in Birmingham and the completion of piling works on the city’s Curzon Street station.

Find out more about our work on high-speed rail projects.

TRU East Alliance awarded £160m contract for new Shipley train depot

The Shipley TrainCare Centre will support the operation of Northern’s electric train fleet, helping to improve reliability and resilience for passengers while enabling future phases of the programme to be delivered.

The depot will provide a vital new facility for the storage, servicing and maintenance of trains serving the Airedale and Wharfedale lines, supporting more efficient and dependable services across the region.

The TRU East Alliance – comprising of Network Rail, VolkerRail, Murphy, Siemens Mobility, SYSTRA and Arcadis – will deliver the project through an integrated design and build approach, bringing together the combined expertise of all partners.

VolkerRail will lead on track, signalling, overhead line equipment installation and low voltage systems. Murphy will deliver lineside civils and major civil engineering works, while Siemens Mobility will deliver the high voltage power systems, overhead line design and, telecommunications infrastructure, including the first Rail Charging Converter (RCC) synchronised to the mainline network. The converter will enable the depot’s 25kV overhead line system to be supplied directly from a local 11kV electricity network connection, reducing infrastructure requirements and improving operational flexibility. SYSTRA is principal designer for the alliance, CSM provider, and also undertaking human factors and systems engineering roles. Arcadis is acting as designer for the Shipley project, supporting the safe and coordinated design for the scheme.

Work is already underway on site, with significant enabling activity completed over the past year. This has included site clearance, removal of contaminated materials and ground preparation, alongside major infrastructure works such as the diversion of an underground sewer and the construction of two large retaining walls.

This early activity demonstrates the pace of delivery across the Alliance and highlights how collaborative working is enabling complex infrastructure to be progressed efficiently, while supporting local jobs, skills and investment as the project moves forward.

James Ramsden, TRU East Alliance director, said: “Securing this contract award marks a major milestone for the TRU East Alliance and reflects the strong, collaborative approach we’ve developed with Network Rail, Northern and the wider Enterprise.

“With early works already well underway at Shipley, we’re now moving into the next phase of delivery. By bringing together the collective expertise of all Alliance partners, we’re well placed to deliver a modern, high-quality depot that will play an important role in supporting more reliable and resilient rail services across West Yorkshire.

“This project demonstrates the value of working as an integrated Alliance to deliver complex infrastructure that benefits passengers, communities and the wider rail network.”

Construction of the main depot building has commenced and will be followed by all the supporting systems and infrastructure installation works until early 2028. Construction of the facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and brought into service in early 2028.

The depot will initially be used to support Northern’s electric fleet while TRU East delivers significant disruptive access to re-model infrastructure at Neville Hill in Leeds.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade is a multibillion-pound programme that will transform journeys across the North, improving connectivity between major towns and cities including Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

SYSTRA celebrates success on Strathclyde bus strategy 

Specialists at the multi-disciplinary engineering and consultancy company have supported Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to deliver the Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy (SRBS) since 2023. 

And the project won the Best Practice in Transport Planning award at a ceremony in Glasgow earlier this month. 

SYSTRA, which has offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh , began by developing the Case for Change for the strategy before further work on an Options Appraisal in 2024. 

Teams then collaborated to support a formal public consultation on the options for bus reform which led onto the development of the final SRBS. 

Laurence Venables, Associate at SYSTRA, worked on the project and attended the awards alongside the client, partners and stakeholders. 

“It was a brilliant night with some worthy recognition for a wide variety of transport projects and teams across Scotland,” he said. 

“Working on the SRBS was both a privilege and a learning experience for our teams. We were able to develop a robust set of policies and measures, alongside an action plan, to deliver a transformed bus network for the region. 

“SYSTRA supported at all stages of the strategy development process, speaking to councils and operators, developing a comprehensive and ambitious network plan, and formulating a framework of bus reform options.” 

The draft SRBS was taken to formal consultation in 2025 and received more than 5,000 responses. The SPT Partnership Board approved the strategy in 2025 and the SPT has since moved forward with developing a franchising process for the region.

And Laurence says the award recognition signals the importance of securing resilient bus provision and services to regions across the country. 

“This feels like a great time for bus in the UK,” he said. 

“There’s a growing recognition of its crucial role for communities and economies, supported by investment and policy moves to place it front and centre. 

“The awards handed out were testament to the progress being made, with bus initiatives notable by their prominence across all the nominations.” 

More here on how SYSTRA is helping local authorities and bus operators design and deliver innovative, financially viable and sustainable bus services.

Putting journey planning back on the map

The app, called Ride, allows users to plan, book and pay before riding buses, trains, trams, rental e-scooters and e-bikes.

Future mobility specialists at SYSTRA lead the options appraisal for the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform, which was tailored to the transport networks in Nottingham and Derby. 

The project involved extensive stakeholder engagement and co-design; using interviews and workshops to identify and prioritise key platform features based on local needs.

Alastair Kitson, Associate at SYSTRA, said: “We’re delighted to have supported in the development, management, and delivery of the procurement process for Ride – which enabled the selection of preferred MaaS supplier Trafi.

“Our role also included programme management, defining key activities, and supporting an engagement programme to develop a high-level technical blueprint. This important work informed provider specifications and supplemented ITT documentation.”

Ride has been described by Councillor Linda Woodings, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, as “one of the first of its kind in the country” and “transformative” in how people track public transport options. 

SYSTRA is committed to helping shape the sustainable, user-focused transport solutions of the future across the UK and Ireland. 

Our teams help clients forge better links between stakeholders across the mobility sector. As with the Ride app, SYSTRA ensures partners and suppliers work collaboratively to develop practical, useful travel services, supported by accessible passenger planning and booking tools.

SYSTRA celebrates five decades in Ireland and Cork office expansion 

SYSTRA, the French-headquartered engineering consultancy with two offices in Ireland, has marked 50 years of supporting connectivity and growth in the country and the expansion of its Cork office. 

To celebrate its new base at Penrose One, Penrose Dock, SYSTRA hosted a special event which was attended by distinguished guests Her Excellency the French Ambassador to Ireland Céline Place; Maxime Augé – Head of Economic Department at the Embassy of France in Ireland;  Christine Deniel-Spicer, Senior Trade Advisor at Business France Ireland, and Sarah Madjedi, VP Sales and Bids at SYSTRA.  

Colleagues from SYSTRA’s Cork and Dublin offices were also joined by key stakeholders from across Ireland’s business, transport and infrastructure communities to mark the opening of the larger premises, which reflect SYSTRA’s growth in Cork since opening its first office there in 2023. 

Her Excellency the French Ambassador to Ireland Céline Place, said: “Ireland is investing heavily in its transport, rail, energy and water infrastructure to support sustainable growth and the transition to a low‑carbon economy. 

“With their expertise of complex projects across the full project lifecycle — from strategic planning to design and delivery — French companies like SYSTRA are well positioned to support these national priorities. I warmly congratulate the SYSTRA teams in Cork and across Ireland for their commitment and achievements and wish them every success.” 

Sarah Madjedi, VP Sales & Bids at SYSTRA, said: “Over the decades, Ireland has offered us far more than business opportunities. It has provided talent, trust, and an environment where long-term partnerships can truly flourish. 

“As we move into this new office this expansion is not only about additional square metres. It is about vision; about investing in people; and about embedding an innovative and sustainable approach to support the next decades of growth.” 

Ian Byrne, Business Director for Ireland at SYSTRA, said: “We are proud to have been part of Ireland’s infrastructure story for over half a century, from our first work in 1975 on the Dublin Rapid Rail Transit Study, to more recent projects such as Dublin and Cork BusConnects, Cork Luas, City Edge, Liffey Valley Bus Interchange Scheme, Greater Dublin Area and Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategies and so many more. 

“With the strength of our Ireland team and the backing of our global SYSTRA colleagues, we are ready to continue playing our part in helping Ireland deliver a sustainable future that supports growth.” 

SYSTRA has played a central role in Ireland’s development for more than 50 years, supporting major infrastructure programmes that enhance connectivity and enable economic growth. Its multidisciplinary teams continue to deliver innovative sustainable solutions across the full project lifecycle from early planning and modelling through design, delivery and operation.

SYSTRA’s Cork office is now located on the 5^th floor, Penrose One, Penrose Dock, Cork T23 YY09. 

Mental Health Awareness Week – Embracing wellness to prevent burnout 

 

Taking care of your wellbeing both in and out of the workplace is vital in promoting good mental health – something our colleagues at SYSTRA are deeply invested in.

As a core value of our business, working as connected teams is at the heart of how we operate. Through our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion programme, Everyone Onboard, and via our dedicated Wellness Champions, we embrace togetherness and understanding whilst continually supporting health and wellbeing across our teams.  

Fostering a supportive, wellbeing-focused work environment plays a big role in preventing burnout. By avoiding unnecessary stress through proactive, sustainable lifestyle changes, our colleagues are keen advocates for a healthy work-life balance and embracing mental wellbeing.  

Our wellness-focused podcasts showcase colleagues who are passionate about topics such as mental health, work-life balance and stress management. In each episode, they share insights around managing health and wellbeing with work. Catch up on recent episodes here: 

To mark this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which takes place from 11th to 17th May, we asked some of our colleagues about what they do to look after their own wellbeing: 

Emma Pym, Associate, said: “I really enjoy a good book, time with my friends and family, cuddles with my cat Stella, exploring new places, good food, good coffee and a visit to my local brewery.” 

Michael Westwood, Team Leader, said staying active is important to him. 

“I like to run and I find that coaching my son’s rugby team helps to take my mind off work,” he said. 

“As a Level Crossings team, we were recently lucky enough to attend a wellbeing afternoon at a local yoga retreat where we experienced the extensive benefits of yoga and a healthy lunch.” 

Sarah White, Marketing & Communications Manager, said she loves cycling and initially bought a bike to get her to the station for her commute. 

“But during lockdown when we had an hour a day to go out and exercise, I went out on my bike and discovered all the local country parks and common land,” she added. 

“This is something I’ve continued exploring and I’ve even completed the London to Brighton bike ride twice.” 

Find out more about our values: https://www.systras.pro/uk/who-we-are/ambition-values/ 

Supporting the next generation of industry leaders at SYSTRA 

Our Next Generation Leadership Team (NGLT) programme fully embraces this. With a cohort consisting of early careers colleagues representing each business area, the NGLT gives the next generation the opportunity to work alongside our Senior Leadership Team. They lead on innovative initiatives that bring fresh, diverse perspectives focused on wider business objectives.  

The programme has been a successful platform for colleagues to learn and grow whilst making a real difference within the business.  

Supported by stakeholders across the business, the NGLT have made a real impact with the initiatives they’re leading: 

• The Project Data Initiative has fully embraced an innovative approach to managing project data, working alongside data science colleagues to deliver an interconnected data hub to streamline processes. 

• The inception and running of our Employee Resource Group, Women in Motion, has brought together women from across the business. This has built a strong community through networking events, mentoring opportunities and awareness campaigns. 

• Working alongside our sustainability team, there has been a strong focus on recognising the social value we offer at SYSTRA, and ensuring all colleagues have the best opportunities to give back to the communities we work in. 

• By producing, coordinating and distributing a podcast miniseries, the Next Gen Meets, the team have been able to share career stories from leaders across the business and beyond. Catch up on the recent episodes on SYSTRAcast.

This hands-on experience through the NGLT in project management, stakeholder relationship management, innovative thinking and problem solving, has enabled our early careers colleagues thrive.  

Ethan Smith, Technician and 2025/26 NGLT memeber, said “Being part of the NGLT has given me the opportunity to help drive positive change within SYSTRA by developing initiatives that improve the way we work and strengthen our culture. 

“It has also been instrumental in my professional development, helping me build confidence and giving me valuable insight into how senior leaders communicate and work together.” 

Benedict Andrews, Project Co-ordinator and a member of the 2025/26 NGLT cohort, said “Being part of the NGLT has been immensely beneficial in developing my understanding of SYSTRA and how the business drives innovative change throughout the organisation.

“It has enabled me to develop my collaboration skills by working alongside likeminded individuals.” 

Find out more about early careers at SYSTRA.

SYSTRA supports start of major road scheme to boost connectivity in Scotland 

Our transport planning specialists played an important role in supporting North Ayrshire Council’s bid to upgrade the B714. 

The £34.7 million project includes significant improvements on a key artery between the Three Towns and the Garnock Valley, connecting North Ayrshire with Glasgow. 

SYSTRA’s role involved developing the business case for the scheme following our support in developing the original funding bid. 

The full business case has been approved by the UK Government with £23.69 million funding provided towards the scheme through the Levelling Up Fund. 

A groundbreaking event on 12^th March  officially marked the start of construction along the first phase of work. 

Project Manager Ian Bruce, Associate Director at SYSTRA, said: “We were delighted to see the upgrade scheme receive final approval from the UK Government. 

“We have worked closely with North Ayrshire Council over several years to ensure a robust business case provided clarity on the positive outcomes the multimillion-pound project will deliver. 

“At SYSTRA, we’re committed to supporting sustainable infrastructure projects with an evidence-based approach that captures the long-term benefits to communities. 

“We were able to work collaboratively to highlight how the B714 upgrade will reduce congestion and provide enhanced connectivity across the locality. The business case identified how the improved route will open up opportunities to people living in the surrounding areas and we look forward to seeing the construction move forward in the coming months.” 

Creating a neuroinclusive workplace at SYSTRA – Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) play an important role in achieving this goal – giving colleagues the opportunity to network with like-minded people, support each other through challenges and drive positive change throughout the business. 

Our disability ERG is a shining example of the impact employee-driven groups can have in the workplace. This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we’re celebrating their neurodiversity-focused achievements from 2025.

Community building 

Over 2025 the ERG has blossomed into a thriving community where colleagues regularly collaborate and support each other with a range of day-to-day tasks. By providing a place for neurodiverse and other disabled colleagues to talk through any problems they may be facing, the ERG has become an integral part of helping colleagues thrive.

The group have found success using different tools and ways of working, including art wellness sessions over lunch times to decompress midday and regular body-doubling sessions to create an environment for increased focus and deep thinking. 

Raising awareness and sharing information 

The group celebrated many successes over 2025 in raising awareness around neurodivergent conditions both within SYSTRA and to the wider industry. They published three podcast episodes: two focusing on navigating the workplace with ADHD and seeking diagnosis, and one insight into life as a parent and carer of a neurodivergent child.

During Neurodiversity Celebration Week in 2025, the group displayed posters throughout our offices highlighting a range of neurodivergent conditions to share colleague’s experiences on how these conditions can show up in the workplace.  

In-person collaboration day 

During Disability Pride Month, our disability ERG met in-person for a day of education, collaboration and community building. Members of the group, alongside HR and health and safety colleagues, held workshops to refine their objectives and develop a plan on how to achieve these. As a result of the collaboration day, they defined their three objectives as: 

• Objective 1: Access – The development of a disability focused support for the employee journey, to ensure all persons with disabilities are supported and considered throughout their time at SYSTRA.   

• Objective 2: Knowledge – Increasing awareness and highlighting the impacts of living with disabilities.   

• Objective 3: Psychological safety - Enhancing the culture that exists within SYSTRA to allow colleagues to feel safe in bringing their authentic self to work. 

Lou Garrick, Disability ERG Co-Lead and Geologist, said: 

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as an Employee Resource Group. The commitment from everyone involved has been inspiring as we work towards creating an even more inclusive environment for those with disabilities, hidden or visible. 

“It’s important to remember that even the smallest changes can make a big difference to everyone.”  

Learn more about equality, inclusion and diversity at SYSTRA. 

HS2 Integrated Project Team wins at the edie Awards 

SYSTRA colleagues Jen Aston (Discipline Lead – Environment & Planning), Marc Stedman (Discipline Lead – Water Resources) and Dan Peers (Principal Consultant – Flood Risk) were in attendance alongside colleagues from across the IPT. 

The IPT, made up of Balfour Beatty VINCI, the Mott MacDonald SYSTRA plus WW+P Architects Design Joint Venture and HS2 Ltd, is constructing the 90km Midlands section of HS2. This part of the route, referred to as IPT Area North, runs between Long Itchington in Warwickshire to the centre of Birmingham and on to Staffordshire. 

Congratulations to our global SYSTRA colleagues who are part of this award-winning project team! 

Find out more about our work on high-speed rail.