SPI Piling Ltd, was appointed by EKFB JV Ltd to support HS2 Phase One enabling works at Grove Farm, Wendover. The project required a 96.6m L‑shaped temporary sheet piled retaining wall to facilitate safe excavation for a permanent attenuation tank. The works formed part of HS2’s major civils package and were required to meet strict safety, environmental, and quality standards.

SPI Piling Ltd, supplied, installed, and will later extract AZ36‑700 sheet piles, including 69 pairs averaging 10m and an Omega 18 corner unit. The scope included pre‑augering along the full piling line, installation using an ABI TM17 leader rig with an MRZV 30VV vibratory hammer, and impact driving where required. A future extraction sequence is planned to use a 100‑tonne crawler crane and vibro hammer.

Works followed an approved Work Package Plan involving platform check, structured chalk pre‑augering using VDW/MDBA systems, controlled vibratory installation, and impact driving to refusal. Installation was completed within an 18‑day programme, with daily records and quality verification ensuring compliance.

Risk management measures addressed high‑risk factors such as lifting operations, overhead power lines, and vibratory plant. Controls included certified lift plans, exclusion zones, vibration assessments (<3mm/s PPV at 30m), environmental consents, and ISO 9001 quality procedures. Daily briefings and task‑specific assessments maintained full compliance. Challenges included chalk ground conditions, proximity to live overhead electrical lines, and the interface with HS2 site logistics. Close collaboration with EKFB’s Temporary Works Coordinator and Engineering Manager ensured efficient sequencing, vibration control, and uninterrupted progress. SPI Piling Ltd, delivered the retaining wall safely, to specification, and within programme, achieving zero lost‑time incidents. The optimised recovery plan also provided material credit value. The project showcased SPI’s technical capabilities, planning discipline, safety culture, and ability to deliver complex temporary works within a high‑profile national infrastructure scheme.