david_g
Member
Noticed driving past (hence no photos) yesterday that the bridge beams have been installed on the piers for the Itchen viaduct just south of the Long Itchington tunnels.
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HS2 Construction Updates -Long Itchington to Great Missenden / Chilterns North Portal
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swt_passenger
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Despite the YouTube video description, I don’t think that’s an HS2 bridge, it’s the Southeast Aylesbury relief road.
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Indeed nothing to do with HS2 directly. The bit of SEALR that interfaces with HS2 is further west and is already open. This is in the gap further east between section linked to the new HS2 roads and the A41
PLY2AYS
Member
True, but have they temporarily pinched the crane from OOC?
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It’s a long video but the first 20 minutes or so give a really good recap on the work done over 2025!
Some really comprehensive and detailed footage from JimH24 on YouTube. Shows some real progress!
(Link is to an hour video on YouTube of drone footage from Chiltern Tunnels North Portal at Gt. Missenden, right through to Birmingham Curzon Street)
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Snow1964
Established Member
A new video has been posted with January 2026 views of construction progress of HS2 in Chilterns to Aylesbury area. About 16 minutes, but is captioned with locations.
Some bridges are not yet complete, some viaducts still need deck and parapets, and there are earthworks to complete.
At same time some other areas look finished with trackbed ready for the railway and embankments all grassed, even haul roads and temporary areas being restored.
Some bridges are not yet complete, some viaducts still need deck and parapets, and there are earthworks to complete.
At same time some other areas look finished with trackbed ready for the railway and embankments all grassed, even haul roads and temporary areas being restored.
bib
Member
Drone video showing the bat tunnel now roughly 50% complete
And another update from the Chiltern society
And another update from the Chiltern society
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Snow1964
Established Member
A new video, which is in form of lots of aerial still shots with a detailed description has been posted. Says it was filmed in December (presumably over Christmas shutdown as all the dump trucks are parked up)
Covers area from Colne Valley viaduct to East West rail crossing near Calvert
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Another new drone video, showing HS2 construction in the Radstone area (just north of Brackley).
An area that doesn't get that many updates, so gives an idea of progress on this stretch.
Covers area from Colne Valley viaduct to East West rail crossing near Calvert
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Another new drone video, showing HS2 construction in the Radstone area (just north of Brackley).
An area that doesn't get that many updates, so gives an idea of progress on this stretch.
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Nicholas Lewis
Established Member
The 2nd video is great but you have to wonder for the justification of the scale of the temporary land take to build this section. Also why such a substantial overbridge on the line of the redundant GCR?
swt_passenger
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It’s one of many ‘green bridges’ all along the route that are supposed to provide for a ‘wildlife friendly corridor’ for animals to cross the railway. It’s not just a footpath.
Yep, temporary land take is insane.
Snow1964
Established Member
A new drone video of the Southam to Leamington area HS2 construction.
Looks like some of the overbridges now in use and lot of landscaping has already been done, and some of the haul roads have now been landscaped too. But areas near bridges are still getting lot of earth moving to complete the route.
The width of the disturbed ground relative to final finished cutting width seems excessive as almost appears in places took an extra field on a temporary basis.
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HS2 have announced that there will be extended working hours at Greatworth and Chipping warden cut and cover tunnel sites from April to end October. 7am Monday to midnight Friday and 7am -6pm weekends
Looks like having to do long hours to complete the work. Possibly behind schedule after wet winter and want to get as much as possible during drier summer months
www.hs2.org.uk
www.hs2.org.uk
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New drone video of HS2 near Fairford Leys (Aylesbury)
Seems to be lots of ground disturbance, heaps of materials etc, but no sign of trackbed for part of this section.
Looks like some of the overbridges now in use and lot of landscaping has already been done, and some of the haul roads have now been landscaped too. But areas near bridges are still getting lot of earth moving to complete the route.
The width of the disturbed ground relative to final finished cutting width seems excessive as almost appears in places took an extra field on a temporary basis.
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HS2 have announced that there will be extended working hours at Greatworth and Chipping warden cut and cover tunnel sites from April to end October. 7am Monday to midnight Friday and 7am -6pm weekends
Looks like having to do long hours to complete the work. Possibly behind schedule after wet winter and want to get as much as possible during drier summer months
Notice of extended working hours at EKFB Chipping Warden
We are extending our working hours. This is subject to the local authority consents, approvals and ongoing review. Activities will include, installing the tunnel structure and using concrete produced at our on-site batching plant, as well as backfilling the area around the tunnel with layers of...
www.hs2.org.uk
Notice of extended working hours at EKFB Greatworth
We are extending our working hours. This is subject to the local authority consents, approvals and ongoing review. Activities will include, installing the tunnel structure and using concrete produced at our on-site batching plant, as well as backfilling the area around the tunnel with layers of...
www.hs2.org.uk
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New drone video of HS2 near Fairford Leys (Aylesbury)
Seems to be lots of ground disturbance, heaps of materials etc, but no sign of trackbed for part of this section.
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Nicholas Lewis
Established Member
You would have thought sections in the open with largely just earthworks would be the most advanced of the sections yet we find the Colne Valley viaduct as being the most completed part of the project.A new drone video of the Southam to Leamington area HS2 construction.
Looks like some of the overbridges now in use and lot of landscaping has already been done, and some of the haul roads have now been landscaped too. But areas near bridges are still getting lot of earth moving to complete the route.
The width of the disturbed ground relative to final finished cutting width seems excessive as almost appears in places took an extra field on a temporary basis.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
HS2 have announced that there will be extended working hours at Greatworth and Chipping warden cut and cover tunnel sites from April to end October. 7am Monday to midnight Friday and 7am -6pm weekends
Looks like having to do long hours to complete the work. Possibly behind schedule after wet winter and want to get as much as possible during drier summer months
Notice of extended working hours at EKFB Chipping Warden
We are extending our working hours. This is subject to the local authority consents, approvals and ongoing review. Activities will include, installing the tunnel structure and using concrete produced at our on-site batching plant, as well as backfilling the area around the tunnel with layers of...
Notice of extended working hours at EKFB Greatworth
We are extending our working hours. This is subject to the local authority consents, approvals and ongoing review. Activities will include, installing the tunnel structure and using concrete produced at our on-site batching plant, as well as backfilling the area around the tunnel with layers of...
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
New drone video of HS2 near Fairford Leys (Aylesbury)
Seems to be lots of ground disturbance, heaps of materials etc, but no sign of trackbed for part of this section.
Snow1964
Established Member
A new video has been posted showing Hunningham Road bridge which video says opened to road traffic today.
Video suggests this is 20th (of 126) bridges to open
Video suggests this is 20th (of 126) bridges to open
Jamesrob637
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Could have at least built it one lane each direction!
swt_passenger
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I was thinking about that, and I suspect they were asked by the planners to keep it to a single lane, as that’s the quality of the existing road either side. But then the humped nature of the bridge means you can’t see oncoming traffic. So they’ve added various passing places. But a straightforward 2 lanes over the hump would be all round safer, with appropriate ‘road narrows’ on the downhill stretch either side.
Snow1964
Established Member
HS2 have issued some updates, one of which is a footpath closed in 2023 to construct Greatworth tunnel.
Now says footpath will need to stay closed until November 2028.
I have to admit to being surprised another 2.5 years will be needed to build this tunnel, makes me wonder when they will be able to start laying track etc.
www.hs2.org.uk
Now says footpath will need to stay closed until November 2028.
I have to admit to being surprised another 2.5 years will be needed to build this tunnel, makes me wonder when they will be able to start laying track etc.
Update: Notice of closure, Helmdon Road, Greatworth and footpath AN13
Helmdon Road and footpath AN13, near Greatworth were closed in Autumn 2023 to allow us to complete the construction of the Greatworth green tunnel. Location Helmdon Road, Greatworth and footpath AN13. Duration From Autumn 2023 until completion of the Greatworth green tunnel, which is expected to...
www.hs2.org.uk
This will be over the top of the green tunnel close to the southern portal and would need all the landscaping completed including all haul roads removed. The extension possibly points to some where near the southern end of tunnel mouth being used as an access point for staff etc. (e.g. staff carpark) during track system fit out (e.g. about 21-22km north of Calvert) with road access from Welsh Road?HS2 have issued some updates, one of which is a footpath closed in 2023 to construct Greatworth tunnel.
Now says footpath will need to stay closed until November 2028.
I have to admit to being surprised another 2.5 years will be needed to build this tunnel, makes me wonder when they will be able to start laying track etc.
Update: Notice of closure, Helmdon Road, Greatworth and footpath AN13
Helmdon Road and footpath AN13, near Greatworth were closed in Autumn 2023 to allow us to complete the construction of the Greatworth green tunnel. Location Helmdon Road, Greatworth and footpath AN13. Duration From Autumn 2023 until completion of the Greatworth green tunnel, which is expected to...
If this were the case then reinstating the footpath soon wouldn't make sense.
19K views · 111 reactions | Drone footage showing the strange bridge going in over HS2 on the former GCR route. #HS2 | NWP Exploring
Drone footage showing the strange bridge going in over HS2 on the former GCR route. #HS2
www.facebook.com
Just seen this video on Facebook which shows a drone flyover along the GCML alignment and shows a new bridge being put in over where the alignment crosses HS2 near Brackley
Why is this being done? I'm pretty sure the alignment isn't getting used again any time soon and putting in a full rail spec bridge like what seems to be getting built in the video. Unless there's something I don't know and the GCML does have a future.
Attached screenshot showing the bridge for those who do not have Facebook.
As per one of the comments on facebook, is it not just that it’s a bridle way that HS2 are obliged to provide a crossing for? I believe HS2 have a common set of parts, so it looks like rail spec because it’s not worth designing something lesser?19K views · 111 reactions | Drone footage showing the strange bridge going in over HS2 on the former GCR route. #HS2 | NWP Exploring
Drone footage showing the strange bridge going in over HS2 on the former GCR route. #HS2
Just seen this video on Facebook which shows a drone flyover along the GCML alignment and shows a new bridge being put in over where the alignment crosses HS2 near Brackley
Why is this being done? I'm pretty sure the alignment isn't getting used again any time soon and putting in a full rail spec bridge like what seems to be getting built in the video. Unless there's something I don't know and the GCML does have a future.
Attached screenshot showing the bridge for those who do not have Facebook.
View attachment 204382
The Planner
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The GCML has no future.
The one I thought was interesting was the bridge they're putting in under the old Rugby - Leamington alignment. Not sure what future that route might have.
If they need to provide a bridge at these kinds of location, then something capable of taking a future railway would make sense as who knows what might happen in the lifespan of the bridge, and doing it now means that HS2 services won't need to be disrupted whatever the future use is.
I would be very surprised if either bridge ever carried a train over HS2, though.
If they need to provide a bridge at these kinds of location, then something capable of taking a future railway would make sense as who knows what might happen in the lifespan of the bridge, and doing it now means that HS2 services won't need to be disrupted whatever the future use is.
I would be very surprised if either bridge ever carried a train over HS2, though.
swt_passenger
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It’s also one of a large number of wider than normal “green bridges” designed to provide for a safe wildlife corridor across the railway. Footbridge AX15 on the HS2 mapping.
It was last mentioned (with a video), in the thread here:
www.railforums.co.uk
It was last mentioned (with a video), in the thread here:
HS2 Construction Updates -Long Itchington to Great Missenden / Chilterns North Portal
Noticed driving past (hence no photos) yesterday that the bridge beams have been installed on the piers for the Itchen viaduct just south of the Long Itchington tunnels.
www.railforums.co.uk
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HS2 has far simpler designs for footbridges, of which there are many across the route.
Yes, it was added in on of the many redesigns since the initial public plans. It serves as a bridge for footpath AX15, which will be diverted to cross it, as well as a green overbridge. In initial plans the footpath wasn’t diverted and crossed on a far more minimal bridge, while the green bridge didn’t exist.It’s also one of a large number of wider than normal “green bridges” designed to provide for a safe wildlife corridor across the railway.
It was last mentioned (with a video), in the thread here:
HS2 Construction Updates -Long Itchington to Great Missenden / Chilterns North Portal
Noticed driving past (hence no photos) yesterday that the bridge beams have been installed on the piers for the Itchen viaduct just south of the Long Itchington tunnels.
Snow1964
Established Member
HS2 has announced weekend road closures on A43 dual Carriageway at Brackley to realign the road over the new bridge over HS2. This is the one where the road was diverted either side of bridge construction.
www.hs2.org.uk
On a more general note, seems to be lots of bridges along the route opening this summer, which will allow the missing sections of trackbed to be dug out, or filled where roads currently run.
Notice of Full Weekend Road Closures, A43, Brackley
We are starting the final phase of the road realignment to connect the new section of the A43 with the existing carriageway. This work will involve installing signage, resurfacing the road, and applying new white lining. Please note that these activities are subject to the necessary consents...
www.hs2.org.uk
On a more general note, seems to be lots of bridges along the route opening this summer, which will allow the missing sections of trackbed to be dug out, or filled where roads currently run.
While lots have been scheduled to complete this summer progress has often looked slow in many cases (e.g. funding rate constrained) so many may open later than expected.
Snow1964
Established Member
HS2 has announced that final pre cast part of 5020 segments making Chipping Warden cut and cover tunnel has been installed
Drone video
mediacentre.hs2.org.uk
Drone video
260702_Chipping Warden Green Tunnel_Final Lift_Drone Media Cut
This is "260702_Chipping Warden Green Tunnel_Final Lift_Drone Media Cut" by High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
vimeo.com
HS2 engineers assemble 1.5-mile pre-cast tunnel
View and embed new drone footage and timelapse showing the last of more than 5,000 concrete segments being lifted into position for the Chipping Warden cut-and-cover ‘green tunnel’. Productivity improvements helped to double the rate of installation over the last two years. The completion of...
PartyOperator
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Building a 1.5 mile cut and cover tunnel through a disused airfield/industrial estate is an astonishing way to use public money. How did this happen?
Stossgebet
Member
'Green tunnels' implies that there was absolutely zero engineering need for them.
While anti HS2 activists slander HS2 as a 'vanity project'. I would counter that the methods of building HS2, were the only 'vanity' aspect of the project.
While anti HS2 activists slander HS2 as a 'vanity project'. I would counter that the methods of building HS2, were the only 'vanity' aspect of the project.
59CosG95
Established Member
A lot of the earlier anti-HS2 activism was decrying the environmental effects of building a new railway through the "green and pleasant land", which was basically NIMBYism disguised as tree-hugging.
That's why we got Chipping Warden Tunnel, the Bat Tunnel (wherever it is), and Bromford Tunnel (rather than a viaduct).
One hopes there's less of that nonsense with Burnham's plan.
swt_passenger
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The north western end does have a purpose. The downhill gradient is significant, and therefore the cutting width (at the required slope angle) would have to be much wider than typical. So it avoids a big chunk out of the local landscape and tree line. But that’s doesn’t apply to the majority of the tunnel.