Skanska has built a huge marquee, which it calls a “temporary encapsulation structure” to protect archaeological works being undertaken in London’s St James’s Gardens as part of the HS2 project.
Caroline Raynor, principal archaeologist for the HS2 joint venture between Costain and Skanska (CSjv), which is delivering enabling works for HS2, explained how the contractor built a bird cage scaffold, erected on a working platform and then rolled out on spine beams using a bespoke series of rollers, which pulled the tent structure across the spine beams and reduced the amount of working at height required.
Raynor also claimed that the decision to use system scaffold was environmentally friendly, allowing the materials used to create the structure to be returned to market without creating any waste.
Yesterday, transport secretary Grant Shapps revealed that the HS2 project could be delayed by up to five years and that its budget has ballooned to £88bn. Shapps has also ordered a review of the project, led by Douglas Oakervee.
