HS2 in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
HS2 in your area
We’re building long tunnels beneath the Chilterns. The railway then runs north across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. We’re using cuttings and green bridges to reduce visual impact. Our landscape design protects the countryside.
What we're building in South Bucks to Aylesbury
Chiltern tunnel
Chiltern tunnel is the longest tunnel on the HS2 route, stretching 10 miles (16km) beneath the Chiltern Hills.
Learn more out about the Chiltern tunnel or read about the HS2 works and developments taking place in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Chiltern tunnel headhouses
Five headhouses support the Chiltern tunnel. They ventilate the tunnel and provide emergency access.
Each site has a secure compound with a main headhouse building and smaller structures. Most of the building sits below ground in a basement, keeping the visible parts small. We designed each headhouse to fit its surroundings in the Chilterns National Landscape, working closely with local communities.
Four headhouses – at Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont St Giles, Little Missenden and Chesham Road – sit in the rural Chilterns National Landscape. We designed them as a family of buildings that reflect local farm buildings. They have simple pitched roofs like barns, and the compounds are arranged like farmyard courtyards.
The buildings use simple, long-lasting materials. They’re wrapped in weathered zinc with ventilation openings, painted in colours that suit each location.
We’re keeping as much existing vegetation as possible at each site. We’re planting native species to create habitats and improve biodiversity. This includes species-rich grassland typical of the Chilterns, new hedgerows, and trees that help wildlife move through the landscape.
Learn more out about the Chiltern tunnel headhouses or read about the HS2 works and developments taking place in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Chilterns chalk grassland
The western slopes of the valley of River Colne are dedicated habitat creation sites. We’re creating over 90 hectares of chalk grassland alongside new areas of woodland, wood pasture and wetlands, including almost 65,000 trees and shrubs of 32 species and nearly 2 miles (3.5 km) of new hedgerows.
Learn more out about the Chilterns chalk grassland or read about the HS2 works and developments taking place in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Chiltern tunnel north portal ancillary building
We’ve designed the north portal building to provide air pressure and noise relief for the Chiltern tunnel.
Learn more out about the Chiltern tunnel north portal or read about the HS2 works and developments taking place in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Wendover Dean viaduct
We’re building the Wendover Dean viaduct south of Wendover, Buckinghamshire.
Learn more out about the Wendover Dean viaduct or read about the HS2 works and developments taking place in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Dean viaduct
The 345m long Small Dean viaduct is just south of Wendover, Buckinghamshire.
Learn more out about the Small Dean viaduct or read about the HS2 works and developments taking place in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Wendover tunnel
We’re building he Wendover tunnel for almost a mile (1.4 km) past the town of Wendover alongside the existing railway and A413.
Learn more out about the Wendover tunnel or read about the HS2 works and developments taking place in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Thame Valley viaduct
We’re building the Thame Valley viaduct in the Northern Vale. It crosses the low-lying Thame Valley.
Learn more out about the Thame Valley viaduct or read about the HS2 works and developments taking place in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
What we're building in Calvert
Calvert infrastructure maintenance depot
The Calvert depot will help keep HS2 running safely and efficiently.
Learn more out about the Calvert infrastructure maintenance depot or read about the HS2 works and developments taking place in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Sheephouse Wood bat protection structure
We’re building a bat protection structure alongside Sheephouse Wood, Buckinghamshire. It will run for about 1km.
Read about the HS2 works and developments taking place in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
What we're building in North Bucks to Turweston
Westbury viaduct
We’re building the Westbury viaduct over the floodplain of the River Great Ouse.
Learn more out about the Westbury viaduct or read about the HS2 works and developments taking place in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Turweston bridge
We’re building a 99m wide green bridge near Turweston. It’s the largest green bridge on the HS2 project.
Learn more out about the Turwest bridge or read about the HS2 works and developments taking place in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Managing impacts of construction
We’re working to minimise disruption to local residents and businesses, reduce the impact on roads and transport, minimise our impact on the environment, and keep communities informed at every stage.
Current work in the area
Local area information
We’re making sure HS2 provides the best value for Britain by carrying out a full review of the programme for the government.
Our CEO Mark Wild is resetting HS2’s cost and schedule. He successfully led Crossrail’s recovery in the wake of major challenges. This led to the successful opening of the Elizabeth line – now the busiest in the UK.
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