News on HS2 in Warwickshire

Today we have revealed the first images of our planned Oxford Canal Viaduct and are seeking views from the local community about the design of the viaduct between Banbury and Daventry.

Set low in the landscape, three reinforced concrete spans will take the railway 60m across the canal, towpath and a country lane near the village of Wormleighton in Warwickshire. It is one of 15 viaducts and bridges across the central section of the HS2 route which is being designed by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB - a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial and Bam Nuttall - working with design partners Arcadis and architects Moxon.

We would like your views on our design for the viaduct and the surrounding landscape, especially:

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic and in response to Government guidance on social distancing it is not possible to engage directly with community groups in the usual way.

We have therefore created a virtual exhibition to share our design for the viaduct and to seek your feedback . Click on the image below to visit the virtual exhibition and explore the design proposals in detail.

We are also holding online information events or 'webinars' where our team will provide a presentation on how the design and construction works are developing and will be available to answer any questions you may have via a live Q&A.

These online 'webinars' have been set up to give the local community the opportunity to hear from the team designing and building the railway in your area. The events are being held on two dates. Please select which date to you would like to attend when registering:

KDEs are structures along the route of the new railway that have been recognised to be important. This could be due to their size, proximity to stakeholders or their location within sensitive areas. The design for the viaduct has been developed with consideration for technical and structural requirements, as well as the impact on its surroundings.

A viaduct is a type of bridge, made up of multiple spans and connecting two points of terrain. On this project they will carry the high speed railway across valleys, rivers, roads and flood plains. Modern high speed trains travel at around four times the speed of Victorian trains so they require a flatter, straighter track, passing over and under the natural landscape. Modern viaducts have to cope with large longitudinal forces due to the braking and traction of high speed trains. They require stiff and strong supports, known as piers, to transfer the braking load forces from the train, which can be as much as a 770 tonnes load, to the foundations.

For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk