Construction of the new Saltley Viaduct moved a step closer this August Bank Holiday weekend, after HS2 engineers successfully installed the first section of the new bridge over the Birmingham to Derby railway lines. The original Saltley Viaduct, which spanned a 183‑metre section of the B4114, closed to vehicles and pedestrians in May 2026. It […]
Category: High-Speed Rail
HS2 installs first section of new Saltley Viaduct
Construction of the new Saltley Viaduct moved a step closer this August Bank Holiday weekend, after HS2 engineers successfully installed the first section of the new bridge over the Birmingham to Derby railway lines. The original Saltley Viaduct, which spanned a 183‑metre section of the B4114, closed to vehicles and pedestrians in May 2026. It […]
Plan ahead: Engineering works will affect journeys to Guildford and Alton over the August Bank Holiday weekend
South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail Wessex (NR Wessex) services between Farnham, Alton and Guildford will be replaced by buses over the August Bank Holiday. Between Saturday 29 and Monday 31 August, SWR and NR Wessex engineers will carry out a range of work to keep trains running reliably. Over the River Mole, between […]
HS2 launches final viaduct on the approach to Curzon Street Station
HS2 engineers have completed the first major phase of work to launch the Duddeston Junction Viaduct over the Birmingham to Derby railway lines. It marks the start of a huge operation to cross six railway tracks – three freight lines and three passenger lines – which is expected to conclude next summer. Duddeston Junction is […]
High Speed Rail Group strengthens board with new appointments
The High Speed Rail Group (HSRG) has announced the appointment of Mandy Duncan, managing director, rail and aviation at Kier Infrastructure, and Jonathan Sharrock, senior account director at Arcadis, to its board of directors. The appointments come at a pivotal moment for the rail sector, with the Government looking to rail infrastructure investment to drive […]
ORR green lights Virgin Trains international services
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has announced that on 13 August it decided to pre-approve a new framework track access agreement between HS1 Limited (trading as London St. Pancras Highspeed) and VTE OPCO Limited (Virgin Trains). The agreement will allow Virgin Trains to operate up to 20 new daily return services between London […]
HS2 completes Solihull viaducts
HS2 engineers have completed three major structures on the southern approach to Interchange station, illustrating further progress on the West Midlands section of Britain’s new railway. The trio of viaducts – Balsall Common, Marsh Farm and River Blythe – are all within the Solihull metropolitan borough. In the coming days, engineers working for HS2’s construction […]
HS2 prepares for major motorway bridging works
Engineers are preparing to deliver two huge construction programmes in tandem, as work progresses to extend the high-speed railway over the Midlands motorway network. To minimise disruption for motorists, engineers will work on the Water Orton viaducts and the “twin box” structure over the M42 at the same time during three separate weekend closures in […]
HS2 completes major A43 works during twin weekend closures
The construction of a bridge that will allow high speed trains to pass under the busy A43 near Brackley took a major step forward over the weekend with completion of a complex multi-stage realignment of the dual carriageway. The A43 – which links Oxford, Brackley and Northampton – is a vital route, providing access to Silverstone and connections between the M40 and M1. It was reopened on Sunday evening after two consecutive […]
HS2 completes major A43 works during twin weekend closures
The construction of a bridge that will allow high speed trains to pass under the busy A43 near Brackley took a major step forward over the weekend with completion of a complex multi-stage realignment of the dual carriageway. The A43 – which links Oxford, Brackley and Northampton – is a vital route, providing access to Silverstone and connections between the M40 and M1. It was reopened on Sunday evening after two consecutive […]