HS2 contractor Align appointed FORS Champion

Align has incorporated FORS into its transport supply-chain, following its appointment as a FORS Champion organisation.

The joint venture, comprising Bouygues TP, Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerFitzpatrick, is delivering the Central (C1) portion of HS2 Phase One.

Its FORS Champion status means Align's transport activities must have achieved the FORS Silver level of accreditation for its work on HS2. Align stated that Work Related Road Risk (WRRR) represented a key risk for the project with the decision made at the start of the venture that its risk reduction strategy would be best supported by mandating FORS Silver across its operation, including its supply chain. 

Align is presently constructing a 16km twin-bored tunnel and a 3.37km viaduct over the Colne Valley. Together, the construction will result in both the UK’s longest inland tunnel and longest rail viaduct. 

As a FORS Champion, Align demands its commercial transport activities – including sub-contracted truck operators – are accredited to FORS Silver status. It means all vehicle movements are executed to the highest levels of safety, efficiency and environmental protection above and beyond the legal requirement.

“Work Related Road Risk (WRRR) is front and centre of our logistics activities,” said Matthew Potter, head of logistics at Align. “FORS provides us with a benchmark standard of best practice right across our transport supply chain, both on-site and, arguably more importantly, out on the road. We’re very proud to be working on HS2,” he said, “We have very high principles to maintain. It is imperative we maintain the highest standards of health and safety for our workforce and the wider public. FORS definitely helps us achieve that.”

He added: “All frontline suppliers and sub-contractors – any vehicle which operates to and from our sites – must have attained FORS Silver accreditation.”