Water Storage Solutions for the UK’s Largest Infrastructure Project
PROJECT INFORMATION
Client
HS2 Ltd
Industry
Rail Infrastructure, Civil Engineering, and Construction
Contractor
Tricel Water
Project
Tricel Water designed, manufactured, and installed two large GRP water tanks (8 m × 7 m × 4 m) for HS2’s Greatworth Green and Chipping Warden Green Tunnel projects. A third tank is planned for early 2026.
TANK DIMENSIONS
8m x 7m x 4m deep (x2 installed
Challenge
HS2’s Green Tunnels programme required bespoke water storage infrastructure to support construction and long-term operations. Tight deadlines, rural site access, environmental commitments, demanded exceptional engineering precision.
Timeline
2025 – First two tanks installed
2026 – Third tank scheduled
TRICEL SOLUTION
solution
Tricel Water engineered and manufactured two bespoke GRP tanks (8 m × 7 m × 4 m) to support HS2’s Greatworth Green and Chipping Warden Green Tunnel projects. The design maximised capacity, durability, and compliance with HS2’s strict sustainability and engineering standards.
A third tank is planned for installation in 2026 to future-proof long-term site needs.
support provided
Tricel’s teams worked closely with EKFB engineers to overcome rural site access and tight scheduling.
Specialist logistics and delivery plans ensured oversized tanks reached the sites with minimal disruption.
Results
Both tanks were delivered and installed on time, with zero delays to HS2’s timeline.
They now provide essential water storage for construction and future operations, supporting safety and environmental goals.
2025 – First two tanks installed 2026 – Third tank scheduled
HS2 is one of Europe’s largest infrastructure investments, aimed at delivering a high-speed rail link between London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds, transforming UK transport and supporting sustainable growth.
The green tunnels programme is a unique element of HS2’s design. Unlike traditional bored tunnels, these cut-and-cover tunnels are constructed in open trenches before being covered over and landscaped to blend seamlessly into the surrounding countryside.
The Greatworth Green Tunnel and Chipping Warden Green Tunnel, each 2.5km long, are designed to:
- Reduce the railway’s visual and noise impact.
- Restore natural habitats and biodiversity.
- Deliver a sustainable and community-sensitive rail corridor.
These environmental objectives made the water infrastructure design critical to construction logistics and long-term site management, requiring bespoke engineering solutions.
Tricel’s Engineering and Delivery Approach
Tricel’s engineering, logistics, and installation teams collaborated closely with EKFB engineers to deliver a seamless, high-quality solution.
Bespoke GRP Tank Design:
Tanks were designed to exact specifications, ensuring maximum capacity, durability, and compliance with HS2’s stringent engineering requirements.
Precision Logistics and Delivery:
Transportation plans were created to deliver oversized tank components to the rural construction sites with minimal disruption, ensuring adherence to HS2’s traffic and environmental management strategies.
On-Site Installation Expertise:
Tricel’s installation teams deployed specialist equipment and expertise to position and secure the tanks within restricted tunnel site areas, maintaining safety and efficiency throughout.
Sustainability Built-In:
GRP construction ensures corrosion resistance, low maintenance requirements, and long-term durability, supporting HS2’s environmental objectives and lifecycle cost efficiency.
Understanding the Challenge
Delivering water storage solutions for a project of HS2’s scale required addressing several challenges:
- Large-Scale Engineering: Each tank’s dimensions (8m x 7m x 4m deep) posed significant manufacturing, delivery, and installation challenges.
- Restricted Site Access: Tunnels are in rural locations, requiring detailed logistics planning to transport large components.
- Environmental Considerations: HS2’s strict sustainability commitments meant solutions had to align with environmental protection and long-term resilience standards.
- Tight Construction Timelines: HS2’s extensive civil works programme leaves no room for delays; installations needed precision scheduling.
- Future-Proofing: The tanks needed to serve immediate construction needs and remain functional for decades.
Timeline
2025: Successful installation of two large tanks at Greatworth Green and Chipping Warden tunnels.
2026: Scheduled installation of the third tank to complete HS2’s Green Tunnel water storage infrastructure.
From Vision to Results
A Seamless Execution
- On-Time Delivery: Both tanks were delivered and installed seamlessly, with zero delays to HS2’s construction programme.
- Enhanced Site Capabilities: The tanks provide essential water storage for construction and future operational requirements, supporting site safety and environmental management.
- Proven Expertise: This high-profile project demonstrates Tricel’s capability in delivering complex GRP water storage solutions for large-scale infrastructure.
- Sustainability Integration: Solutions align with HS2’s commitment to reducing environmental impact and integrating construction with natural landscapes.
About High Speed 2 LTD (HS2)
High Speed Two Ltd (HS2) is a UK government-funded company, established in January 2009, tasked with designing, building and operating the UK’s new high-speed rail network. core mission is to connect major cities, starting with London to Birmingham, through fast, zero-carbon journeys, freeing up capacity on existing lines and spurring economic growth, particularly in regions along its route. The company is responsible not just for the construction of tracks, bridges, viaducts, tunnels and stations, but also for ensuring environmental sustainability, safety, and integration with existing transport systems. With over 33,000 construction workers and thousands of UK-based businesses involved, HS2 is one of the largest infrastructure and engineering endeavours in Britain, aiming to deliver a transformational shift in how people and goods move across the country.
About Tricel Water & Pumps
Tricel is a leading provider of water storage and pumping solutions across the UK and Ireland, delivering high-performance, custom-engineered systems for commercial, industrial, residential, and public sector applications. With over 50 years of experience and a strong heritage in innovation, Tricel offers a comprehensive range of products and services tailored to modern infrastructure needs.
Tricel Water is renowned for its manufacturing of WRAS-approved GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) cold water storage tanks, including one-piece, sectional, and fire sprinkler tanks.
Tricel Pumps specialises in the specification, supply, installation, and maintenance of pump systems, offering bespoke pumping solutions, pressurisation units, fire protection systems, and electrical control panels.
Together, Tricel Water and Tricel Pumps combine technical expertise, responsive service, and a commitment to quality to deliver reliable, future-ready water infrastructure solutions across the UK and Ireland.
