Channel Tunnel Rail Link?high speed, low impact, minimum cost

Abstract

The Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) is a new high-speed rail link between the Channel Tunnel and London. In planning any transportation corridor, what people will see and hear is always at the forefront of residents’ and local authorities’ concerns. Noise mitigation is therefore a major issue that has to be resolved to obtain planning approval for a scheme. Noise issues can often be ‘bought off’ with the provision of more mitigation. However, uncontrolled this can severely affect the economics of a scheme. Union Railways, supported by Rail Link Engineering and its ‘home’ companies (Arup, Bechtel, Halcrow and SYSTRA), has tackled this difficult balance and has, through innovative integrated design and management, won the support of local authorities to deliver high environmental performance at reasonable cost. The paper outlines the methods employed on Section 1 of the Project.