Landmark Willesden cranes removed for HS2 Rail Logistics Hub

The disused container cranes have been removed and dismantled to make way for the for the construction of HS2’s Rail Logistics Hub.

The 22m yellow cranes have stood next to the West Coast Mainline, the future site of the Rail Logistics Hub, for over 30 years. The removal and dismantling of the container cranes has proved one of the most complex elements of HS2 preparation thus far.

When completed the hub will deliver construction materials and remove excavated materials from the boring machines digging tunnels to Euston and the outskirts of London. The hub will cover 150,000sq m and process over six million tonnes of material.

HS2 Project Director Colin Thomas said: “Once up and running, the Rail Logistics Hub will be the beating heart of our construction activity in the capital, enabling us to deliver equipment and materials and take out huge amounts of excavated material by rail.”

“The safe and efficient removal of the Willesden cranes is the first step to making that possible, and a very visible reminder of the progress we are making in the delivery of Britain’s new high speed line.”

HS2 contractors including the Costain Skanska joint venture (CSjv) and JF Hunt Ltd conducted the removal and demolition respectively, along with ALE Heavy Lift. The first two container cranes were removed last year with a 550 tonne mobile crane.

The third was removed earlier in February through a controlled collapse with a 49 tonne excavator down onto purpose-built crash mats. The majority of the dismantled structures are set to be recycled.

The site previously functioned as the Willesden Euro Terminal, handling containers passing through the Channel Tunnel. The site has a fourth crane which shall remain in position.

Across the capital, demolitions are taking place at the sites of future HS2 infrastructure, along with a vast preparatory archaeology project. Work is planned to cause minimal disruption to normal rail schedules.

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