| CONTENTS


Technical Drill & Blast BTS Meeting report


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Epiroc Boomer S2 working in the exploratory adit excavated for the planned Coire Glas pumped storage hydropower project, in Scotland Image credit: John Zammit


Coire Glas project Sean Murchie, SSE Renewables


Tom Taplin, Stantec-Cowi Joe Coxson, Strabag Tom Robinson, Strabag


Excavating an exploratory adit by drill & blast into a Scottish hillside, by a loch, was a key part of preparations to build the Coire Glas pumped storage hydropower project. Ground investigations were extensive and were the subject of a BTS evening meeting lecture in September 2025, a report of which the speakers have prepared.


Comment 3 22 REGULARS 7 News 42 Events 22


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27 32 February 2026 | 5


Insight Sustainability & Circular Economy


Moving to Sustainability Benoit de Rivaz, Bekaert


Manufacture of steel fibre precast segments is moving to more sustainability. A briefing on developments includes a spotligh on rail project works in Italy.


BTS, BTSYM


Chairs’ Corner John Corcoran, BTS Chair Asil Zaidi, BTSYM Chair


Updates on the latest wide-ranging activities and outreach work by the BTS and BTSYM.


Interview


Keith Bowers Julian Champkin, T&TI


Dr Keith Bowers was awarded the BTS James Clark Medal for 2025 for his considerable contribution to tunnelling profession, especially his exceptional dedication to nurturing the next generation of tunnellers. He is currently Project Director for Tunnels on the Lower Thames Crossing.


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