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HS2 begins assembling Edgcote viaduct
23/10/2024
The work is happening as the government announces measures to bring the cost and delivery of HS2 back under control
HS2 has begun assembling a half-kilometre long viaduct at Edgcote. The 515m-long structure will carry the new railway across the floodplain of the River Cherwell, south of Chipping Warden.
All the major structural elements of the viaduct have been manufactured off-site which HS2 says helps speed up construction, boost efficiency and reduce the number of lorry movements on local roads.
Edgcote is one of more than 50 major viaducts being built as part of the HS2 project. At between six and eight metres high, the viaduct will be supported by 20 pairs of pre-cast concrete piers. These will be lifted into position with their steel reinforcing rods slotted into pre-prepared sleeves within the pile caps. The gaps are then sealed with grout.
Two major new wildlife sites will be created where the viaduct crosses the floodplain, with new and enhanced fen, marshland and meadow alongside new woodland planting.
The viaduct passes close to the site of the medieval Battle of Edgcote, fought on July 26, 1469, during the Wars of the Roses.
As work on the viaduct continues the government has announced measures to bring the cost and delivery of HS2 back under control.
Over the years, the cost of Phase One has soared, with poor project management, inflation and poor performance from the supply chain blamed.
The Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, has launched an independent review to ensure lessons are learned. The Government is also reinstating ministerial oversight of the project to ensure greater accountability.
Louise Haigh said: “It has long been clear that the costs of HS2 have been allowed to spiral out of control, but since becoming Transport Secretary I have seen up close the scale of failure in project delivery – and it’s dire.
“Taxpayers have a right to expect HS2 is delivered efficiently and I won’t stand for anything less.
“I have promised to work fast and fix things and that’s exactly why I have announced urgent measures to get a grip on HS2’s costs and ensure taxpayers’ money is put to good use. It’s high time we make sure lessons are learnt and the mistakes of HS2 are never repeated again.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam