HS2 Ltd

HS2 will provide more fast and reliable journeys between our biggest cities - while freeing up space on the existing railway.

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

The final viaduct was installed over the M6 this weekend 🎥✅.

This milestone means that both M6 South viaducts are now structurally complete. The east deck, which will carry high-speed trains towards HS2’s two London stations – Old Oak Common and Euston, was completed in 2025. The west deck, which was successfully moved into place on Saturday, 24th October, will carry trains towards Curzon Street Station in Birmingham city centre and destinations in the north, including Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow.

Find out more: https://t.co/w2zlTJ42xY

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

New Video 🎥 - How HS2 is shaping investment in Birmingham.

In this video, we speak to James Blakey, Planning and Engagement Director at Moda Living, a build-to-rent investor and operator that builds, manages and holds residential neighbourhoods for the long term. By the time its current plans are complete, Moda will have invested more than £1 billion in Birmingham, delivering just over 5,000 new homes across four neighbourhoods.

Watch now 👉 https://t.co/DktoJ3K4R3

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

Strong winds are forecast this weekend, so we're changing our planned construction works to keep everyone safe.

The Water Orton viaduct parapet installation, above the M42, will be rescheduled. This means the M42 J6 to J9 northbound, and J9 to J7 southbound will be open this weekend.

The M42 North J7 to M6 North connector road will still close as planned. This is because the final stages of the M6 South viaduct launch aren't affected by the weather. This closure runs from 5am Saturday 24 October to 10pm Sunday 25 October 2026.

We now plan to complete the M42 works the following weekend, 30 October to 2 November, weather permitting.

More information: https://t.co/EM9ma40z6h

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

The A422 overbridge opened to traffic this summer, allowing the road to pass safely over the #HS2 line.

Our teams began installing the bridge in 2025, starting with the central span, which was manoeuvred into position using self propelled modular transporters (SPMTs). The two side spans were then lifted into place using a 400-tonne crawler crane.

Want to find out more about this structure and other key developments in the #Brackley area? Watch out latest YouTube video 🎥 👉 https://t.co/Lp5zQyOyno

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

This week we'd like to share these fantastic photos of our Colne Valley Viaduct 📷👇.

The viaduct is the longest railway bridge in the UK and one of the most significant structures on the HS2 route. Stretching 2.1 miles (3.4 km), it will carry the railway across the Colne Valley Regional Park, connecting London and the Midlands while carefully navigating one of the country’s most environmentally sensitive landscapes.

Images courtesy of Grimshaw/Hufton+Crow

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

Birmingham's skyline is changing, with cranes and major developments transforming the area around our future Curzon Street station. Our latest drone footage 🎥👇 captures the scale of the activity, with construction projects springing up across the city centre as #Birmingham continues to grow and evolve.

#HS2 is more than a railway — it’s a corridor of economic opportunity 📈, connecting regions and unlocking potential across the UK. Even before the first train runs, development around our stations in #WestLondon and the #WestMidlands is set to inject £20 billion into the economy over the next decade.

This is an investment that will boost local growth, promote social mobility, and help communities trade, grow, and thrive.

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

Works are progressing well at our #Birmingham Curzon Street station site. Over the weekend, our team installed another huge tower crane, and we captured the process on camera 🎥.

The 30.4m crane will allow multiple areas within the site to be serviced. It will also help simplify site logistics, minimise congestion, and improve safety for our workers.

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

New video - HS2 construction update in Brackley 🎥

Westbury Viaduct near Brackley is now finished. We launched the deck across its 7 piers in three pushes, then completed parapet installation and cast each of its 8 deck spans using a bespoke cantilever formwork traveller.

It's one of more than 50 major viaducts we're building across HS2, and one of a family of 5 "double composite" structures combining concrete with steel beams for strength without extra weight.

Nearby, we're also making progress on Turweston Viaduct, the Turweston Green Overbridge, and the A422 and A43 Overbridges, all part of a 30km stretch of route between Calvert and Greatworth that includes 35 bridges and 5 viaducts in total.

Watch the full story here 👉 https://t.co/3Q28bb4ywI

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

There's plenty happening along the HS2 route near Brackley, with our teams working hard to bring HS2 to life.

We've been out on site to capture the latest construction progress, showcasing the engineering, people and hard work behind the scenes.

One example is the now structurally complete Westbury Viaduct. Stretching 320m across the floodplain of the River Great Ouse, this impressive structure is just one of the many milestones being achieved in the area.

Our latest video is coming soon 👀

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

Our 30,000 strong workforce has had it's most productive year yet, and the progress of the last few months tells the story.

The final segments of the Wendover Green Tunnel have been lifted into place. The 320m-long Westbury Viaduct has reached structural completion, and in Solihull, a trio of viaducts have also been completed ✅.

With almost 80% of HS2's major structures now complete or under construction, the scale of progress across the route is clear.

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

The last segment for the #Wendover green tunnel has been lifted into position 👍🎥.

Set to stretch for around a mile, the tunnel is being built inside a cutting alongside the A413 to the west of the #Buckinghamshire town. In total, 2,740 precast concrete segments were used to build the tunnel. With the central part now finished, the focus is turning to the portals at either end, completing the floor slab and internal fit out.

Find out more: https://t.co/SxOrwYGTVz

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

Step-free access is coming to Old Oak Common station.

Future passengers using Elizabeth line services at HS2's Old Oak Common in west London will benefit from step-free access, following agreement between HS2 Ltd, Network Rail, Transport for London and the Department for Transport.

Watch our latest video: https://t.co/eqdZuDyEdl

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

This week we'd like to share these fantastic photos of our Westbury viaduct👇📷.

Crossing across a floodplain of the River Great Ouse near Brackley, the 320m structure uses an innovative ‘double composite’ structure which allows a more efficient use of concrete and steel than a traditional approach, helping to cut carbon in construction.

#HS2InPictures

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

The 320m-long Westbury viaduct is now complete.

Set low in the landscape to the east of the town, it was built using an unusual "double composite" approach, inspired by recent viaducts on the French TGV network. This method uses less carbon-intensive concrete and steel than traditional designs.

Next up: removing the hardstanding that supported construction equipment, and completing the landscaping 👍.

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

Level boarding has been confirmed for Elizabeth line services at HS2's Old Oak Common station 🚄. Future passengers will benefit from step-free access thanks to an agreement between HS2 Ltd, @networkrail, @TfL and @transportgovuk. The superhub station will be the 42nd stop on the Elizabeth line, connecting passengers to over 100 destinations.

Find out more: https://t.co/TVeua7EehR

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

The new footbridge spans have arrived and been installed at the South Heath cutting 👇🎥.

The three huge steel spans, weighing up to 75 tonnes and up to 41m long, were manufactured by Taziker Industrial Ltd in Blackburn, then transported under police escort across 4 force areas to reach our site.

A 600-tonne crawler crane lifted them into place onto abutments and piers, sitting around 13.5m above the high-speed line. Next, the team will begin the welding and internal fit-out, including drainage, cladding, mesh and surfacing.

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

In our latest video 🎥 we take a deep dive into the Oxford Canal Viaduct, looking at how it was designed, how it's been constructed and some of the details that make this structure unique.

The locally sourced stone was chosen following community engagement, helping the viaduct reflect the character and heritage of the surrounding canal corridor.

Find out more: https://t.co/vpuxxSml5E

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

Together, the Water Orton viaducts cross the M42, A446, the #Birmingham to Peterborough railway line and the River Tame.

A separate team of 75 men and women have now installed the final two spans of Water Orton Viaduct number 2 over the southbound carriageway, replicating the successful extension of Water Orton 1 back in August.

Each 45-metre-long span was built using 18 pre-cast segments, manufactured locally at BBV's concrete batching plant in Kingsbury. Once assembled, the 1,000-tonne spans were driven into position using self-propelled modular transporters, then locked securely in place using tensioning cables housed inside the hollow centre of the viaduct.

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

During the weekend closure of the M42, a 150-strong team installed the final 44 beams for the #M42 twin box over the southbound carriageway, completing the roof that will carry trains above the motorway.

The structures roof comprises 175 beams in total, each weighing between 56 and 92 tonnes and measuring 23m long, lifted into place by a 300-tonne crawler crane. The finished structure stands 10m high, with two 145m-long walls and 46 internal columns supporting a 9,800-tonne beamed roof 👇🎥.

[HS2 Ltd @HS2ltd]

Our engineers have lifted the last of six enormous viaduct spans that will carry high speed trains over the M42 in the West Midlands, during a weekend closure of the motorway 👇🎥.

The operation at the Water Orton viaducts site was completed in the early hours of this morning, with the motorway reopening at around 4am as planned. To take full advantage of the closure, a separate team - three miles to the south – spent the weekend lifting the last beams that will support another major bridge known as the ‘twin box’.

Find out more: https://t.co/AhrhLpliLa
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