Today, we’re working to construct two key sections of HS2, Britain’s new high-speed rail line. BBV is delivering 90km of route in the Midlands, which runs between Long Itchington in Warwickshire, to the centre of Birmingham and on to Handsacre in Staffordshire where trains will join the West Coast mainline.
Further south, we’ve partnered with SYSTRA to build Old Oak Common Station in north-west London.
Today, we’re working to construct two key sections of HS2, Britain’s new high-speed rail line. BBV is delivering 90km of route in the Midlands, which runs between Long Itchington in Warwickshire, to the centre of Birmingham and on to Handsacre in Staffordshire where trains will join the West Coast mainline.
Further south, we’ve partnered with SYSTRA to build Old Oak Common Station in north-west London.
VALUES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
BBV mirrors the values and guiding principles of our client, HS2.
Our values are:
SAFETY
Caring for our colleagues and our stakeholders by creating an environment where nobody gets hurt. That means making safety our first consideration and speaking up and intervening if something is unsafe.
INTEGRITY
Acting fairly, transparently and consistently. That means acknowledging the impact of the HS2 programme and doing the right thing, even in difficult circumstances.
RESPECT
Understanding others, recognising their value and behaving accordingly. That means listening and being open-minded, explaining decisions clearly, working flexibly and appreciating the impact of our actions.
LEADERSHIP
Being innovative and challenging ourselves to lead by example. That means making the most of the unique opportunity HS2 offers, having clear direction to deliver excellence and setting new standards for mega-projects.
Our guiding principles are:
ENSURING VALUE FOR MONEY
That means being disciplined and focused in our pursuit of value and the management of cost, thereby ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.
RESPECTING COMMUNITIES
That means being good neighbours and respecting the communities we impact.
CHAMPIONING TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION
That means promoting a truly collaborative approach, creating a sense of ‘one team’ with positive, construction relationships.
CREATING A POSITIVE LEGACY FOR BRITAIN
That means that we want Britain to be proud of what HS2 does for Britain; a unifying force that brings the country closer together, with a stronger, more balanced economy and a legacy that improves the lives of this and future generations.
HOW WE WORK
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Health and safety is paramount to us. Across our work in the Midlands, in 2023 alone, we achieved a period of 2.7 million continuous hours worked without a Lost Time Injury and we collectively raised and actioned over 74,000 safety observations.
At Old Oak Common, we have achieved our overall target from HS2 since the inception of the project. We have also set up a proactive health and wellbeing programme which goes beyond traditional occupational health provisions.
INNOVATION
Numerous complex innovation projects are being delivered – across our work in the Midlands, we have already delivered over £202m in enabled savings and for 2024, and we have a strong portfolio of live and pipeline innovation projects, designed to help meet our cost and carbon challenges.
At Old Oak Common, we work with HS2 to identify and deploy innovations that maximise the benefits of the station. Funding is available from HS2 to develop, test and implement innovative proposals.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Both Balfour Beatty VINCI and Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA have been awarded the Clear Assured Gold standard accreditation for our commitment to embedding inclusive best practice into all elements of our work.
In addition, Balfour Beatty VINCI is also a Disability Confident Leader.
SKILLS, EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION
BBV is enhancing the skills, employment, and educational (SEE) impact of the HS2 programme, focusing on the region’s growth, inclusion of under-represented groups, and support for disadvantaged communities.
We will be leaving a skills legacy for the benefit of the wider economy and transport infrastructure sector by:
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- Creating thousands of new jobs and associated training, careers and educational opportunities to leave a legacy that will positively benefit the wider region, local communities, and under-represented groups.
- Investing in our apprentice workforce to develop the skills of new entrants and existing employees to help alleviate current and projected skills shortages and skills gaps.
- Collaborating with regional stakeholders and providing access to jobs through targeted and tailored pre-employment training pathways for unemployed job seekers.
- Inspiring our future workforce through direct engagement with young people currently at school, college or university.
- At Old Oak Common, we’re working with local primary, secondary and further education facilities to deepen our local talent pool and build employment pathways for local communities. We also work with charities, community groups and social enterprises to deliver a programme of community investment. We have won a range of awards, such as the Leading Lights, UK Social Mobility Awards and Considerate Constructors Award.
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SUSTAINABILITY
Our work in the Midlands has already delivered a 43.5% reduction on baseline carbon emissions, equivalent to 1.8m tonnes CO2e, against a reduction target of 50%. Looking ahead, BBV and our environmental partners will plant almost 1,000 hectares of woodland, hedgerow, wildflower grassland and wetland across the region as part of HS2’s Green Corridor.
Old Oak Common is an exemplar of sustainable practice. In 2023, we achieved the BREEAM design stage certificate of Outstanding, placing us in the top 1% of new build projects globally. In March 2024, Old Oak Common won Bronze at the Green World Awards in recognition of our carbon reduction achievements, including reducing carbon impacts in the station design, providing a green tariff of 100% renewable electricity on site, removing diesel from operations and championing innovative low-carbon technologies.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Respecting people and respecting places is core to how we work. We know that major construction work can disrupt the lives of local people which is why we actively engage with communities all along our line of route. We inform them of issues that may affect them, respond to their questions and concerns and involve them in opportunities including giving back through our volunteering and in-kind support.
At Old Oak Common, we know that building the station impacts the lives of local people. We ensure we do all we can to minimise any disruptions and leave a lasting positive impact.