HS2 awarded BREEAM certificate

The UK’s High Speed 2 (HS2) railway scheme has become the first infrastructure project in the UK to be awarded a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Infrastructure certificate.

The certificate recognises sustainable practices in large-scale construction projects, and it was said to demonstrate that in Phase 1 of the project – for which the certificate was awarded – HS2 is committed to going beyond the enhancement and protection of the environment, to address the key social and economic impacts of the development.

These were said to include such things as working in harmony with communities, putting safety and wellbeing at the heart of the project, and generating sustainable economic benefits for the whole of the UK, such as enhancing skills and creating long-term career opportunities.

HS2 environment director, Peter Miller, said, “Our goal with HS2 is to design and build the most sustainable high-speed railway of its kind in the world, working in partnership with our supply chain and local communities to leave a positive legacy for future infrastructure projects both in the UK and beyond.”

Director of infrastructure at the Building Research Establishment (BRE), Chris Broadbent, said, “From 2014, HS2 was the first project to engage with BRE in the development of BREEAM Infrastructure, working with us to pioneer a new approach to a sustainability strategy which applies right across the entire HS2 project.

”This is a first for the UK and it will set the standards for future infrastructure projects around the world.”