Members of the Federation of Piling Specialists’ (FPS) Early Careers Group (ECG) recently enjoyed an exclusive site visit to see the piling works on a High Speed Two section in the North Chilterns area, hosted by the Bauer Keller Joint Venture (BKJV), on 23rd July 2025.

Organised by the FPS ECG, the visit offered a first-hand opportunity to see specialist geotechnical works in action at one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. The visit drew a highly engaged group of attendees, with discussions centred around the site’s innovative methodologies and engineering challenges.

Of particular interest was the Slurry Wall Trench Protection Barrier developed for the scheme, which is an innovation that has already been shortlisted for the FPS Award for Safety Innovation. The barrier exemplifies how ground engineering innovation continues to evolve in response to increasingly complex infrastructure requirements.

The visit began with an overview of the project’s aims and methodology, followed by a guided site walk with members of the BKJV project team, where attendees explored techniques such as the construction of a low-permeability wall and soil pre-treatment strategies.

FPS ECG site visits provide valuable insight into real-world geotechnical challenges, while offering early career professionals the opportunity to build networks, develop knowledge, and engage with leading specialists in the field.