News on HS2 in Northants

Our latest designs for the Edgcote and Lower Thorpe Viaducts have been revealed and a four-week online engagement event for communities in Northamptonshire to have their say is underway. Proposals for the viaducts include the creation of over 17 hectares of new wildlife sites and the planting of new woodlands.

Set low into the landscape, the 515 metre-long Edgcote Viaduct will carry the railway across the floodplain of the River Cherwell, south of Chipping Warden. Between six and eight metres high, the viaduct will be supported by 20 pairs of concrete piers and from a distance, will be largely hidden by existing hedgerows and woodland.

Proposed design for the Edgcote Viaduct

The viaduct passes close to the site of the medieval Battle of Edgcote. Fought on 26th July 1469, during the Wars of the Roses, the battle is thought to have taken place on the nearby Danesmoor. 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 new woodland planting. The schemes, which total 7.6 hectares, will create valuable new habitats for insects, bats, newts and other amphibians.

Proposed design for the Lower Thorpe Viaduct

Three more new wildlife sites, totalling 9.5 hectares 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. The designs have been overseen by our works contractor EKFB (Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial and Bam Nuttall), alongside partners Arcadis and architects Moxon.

Due to COVID-19 we are unable to hold a community information event near to you, so we will be presenting the information through a virtual exhibition room, offering you the opportunity to register for one of our free online information events and the chance to give us your feedback until Sunday, November 15.

Please view our virtual exhibition, find out how to register for our online events and provide your feedback .

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .