Public consultation begins on HS2 viaduct designs

22 October, 2020

EKFB Joint Venture, a team made up of BAM Nuttall, Eiffage, Kier and Ferrovial, has revealed its latest designs for HS2 viaducts.

The Edgcote and Lower Thorpe Viaduct designs have been put on display as part of a four-week online engagement event for communities in Northamptonshire.

The viaduct designs, drawn up by HS2's main works contractor EKFB JV working with design partners Arcadis and architects Moxon, will be as low-profile as possible and built with consideration for the local environment.

Viaduct Design

Set low into the landscape, the 515m-long Edgcote Viaduct will carry the railway across the flood plain of the River Cherwell, south of Chipping Warden. Between 6m and 8m high, the viaduct will be supported by 20 pairs of concrete piers and will be largely hidden by existing hedgerows and woodland.

Close up viaduct

The viaduct passes close to the site of the medieval Battle of Edgcote. Initial archaeological investigation along the route of the viaduct has not found any evidence of the battle and further investigation will be completed before construction begins.

Two major new wildlife sites will also be created where the viaduct crosses the floodplain, with new and enhanced fen, marshland and meadow alongside woodland planting. The schemes – which total 7.6ha – will create valuable new habitats for insects, bats, newts and other amphibians.

Meanwhile, the 210m-long Lower Thorpe Viaduct will also be set low into the landscape. Seven weathered steel spans will carry the railway across Banbury Lane just south of the village of Thorpe Mandeville.

The use of weathered steel, which naturally ages to a dark russet brown colour, will echo the tones of the surrounding countryside and reduce the visual impact of the structure.

Three more new wildlife sites – totalling 9.5ha - will be created near Thorpe Mandeville, including a major project to enhance and restore a small lake with new wetland meadow and habitat for birds, butterflies and small mammals.

EKFB technical director Janice McKenna said:

"EKFB is using innovative, digital techniques to create designs that meet the needs of the future railway, while balancing the community, environmental and engineering requirements of designing lasting infrastructure."

"Our design solutions are created with people in mind and we are using construction methods that limit the impact on residents."

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