East West Rail (EWR) is helping shape the future of ground engineering after offering Early Career Professionals (ECPs) a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience at a live infrastructure site.

Seventeen ECPs recently joined the EWR Ground Investigation (GI) team at Chapel Hill in Cambridgeshire, part of some wider survey work, for a full day of immersive learning and practical engagement. The initiative bridges the gap between design and delivery on this nationally significant infrastructure project, with all seventeen attendees recommending the experience to their peers.

Organised by EWR Investigation Supervisors Josh Dunlop and Sophie-Stone-Wigg, and hosted collaboratively by Client, Contractor and Technical Partner teams, the visit was designed to provide insight into the complexities of ground investigations and inspire the next generation of engineers.

Participants rotated through interactive stations led by industry experts, including a geology overview and core sampling demonstration, a piezometer installation walkthrough, and a client Q&A session with EWR Engineering Specialist Neil Esslemont. Safety briefings and inductions were led by Concept Engineering Solutions. A piezometer is an instrument used to measure groundwater pressure or levels beneath the surface, providing vital information about how water interacts with soil and rock. On projects like East West Rail, piezometers are installed in boreholes to monitor groundwater conditions over time, helping engineers understand how water might affect soil stability, drainage, and construction design.

Attendees also engaged with drillers, engineers, unexploded ordnance (UXO) specialists, and ecological clerks of works, gaining a holistic view of the roles and responsibilities involved in GI operations. UXO refers to military munitions that were deployed but failed to detonate as intended and remain at risk of detonation, sometimes many decades after they were used or discarded.

The visit was tailored for those with limited site experience, with preparatory work including health and safety risk assessments, technical research, and online training. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Hannah Fitzgibbon, Graduate Engineering Geologist, said: “The breadth of topics and discussions we had throughout the day was extensive, and the opportunity to speak directly to the experts was invaluable. I came away feeling extremely positive—it was a great learning opportunity.”

James Goodrich, Summer Placement Student, said: “I found it a great way to experience site environment and gain a better understanding about the way contractors, clients and consultants communicate and coordinate with one another. It was explained very well why GI is so important to project planning.”

Adam Castles, Civil Engineer, said: “It was great to see how desk studies and consultancy work influence the ‘real life’ operations on site, which will help me produce better plans and proposals in the future.”

Neil Esslemont, Geotechnical Engineering Specialist at EWR Co, said: “The ground investigation for EWR is one of the largest GI projects in the UK at the moment, so we have an obligation to take any opportunities to use the project to help to drive the industry forward. Ground investigations are a critical part of delivering safe and sustainable infrastructure, and it’s vital that early career professionals understand the real-world challenges and opportunities they may face. This visit to Chapel Hill gave participants a unique chance to engage directly with the processes and people behind the work, and I was impressed by their enthusiasm and curiosity. It’s encouraging to see such talent emerging in the industry.”

East West Rail Company is carrying out three main types of ground investigation works to better understand the land along the proposed route. Cable percussion boreholes involve using a heavy weight to drive a casing into the ground, collecting soil samples at various depths, typically reaching between 10 to 20 meters, though some may extend up to 40 meters. Rotary boreholes employ a rotating drill bit to penetrate hard rock formations and are suitable for deeper investigations, also reaching depths of up to 40 meters. Trial pits, excavated manually or mechanically, provide direct access to soil layers for detailed visual inspection and sampling, particularly useful for shallow investigations and assessing surface conditions.

Given the success of the Chapel Hill visit, East West Railway Company now plans to expand the programme across future phases, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing emerging talent across its Technical Partner and UK office network. East West Rail continues to invest in future talent through practical learning and collaboration.

The East West Rail Project is a once in a generation opportunity to connect people and businesses between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge through a new direct rail line. It is a railway with community at its heart that will open up new journeys, cut travel times, and ease congestion on local roads. The route will connect people to the things and places that matter, bringing local benefit and sustainable growth by unlocking the social and economic potential of the area.

The East West Railway Company (EWR Co) is a non-departmental public body with limited company status set up by the Secretary of State for Transport in 2017 to deliver the East West Rail Project. The corridor, which runs from Oxford through Milton Keynes and Bedford to Cambridge, is an economic artery that makes the UK a global leader in life sciences, technology and innovation, with the potential to create jobs, drive growth and attract investment for the entire country.