Work Item Summary
- Project Phase
- Phase 1
- Region
- Northamptonshire
- Location
- Greatworth
- Contractor
- EKFB JV
- Type of works
- Delivery of materials
- Estimated Start Date
- 07/12/2025
- Estimated End Date
- 31/12/2025
What we are doing
During 2025, construction has progressed on the Greatworth green tunnel and we will continue receiving deliveries of precast tunnel segments as we continue the installation process. These segments are built in a factory in Derbyshire and then transported to Greatworth, where they are assembled within the excavated tunnel trench with a crane. Once in place, the segments will be covered with earth and landscaped to fit into the surrounding countryside.
You may see HGVs carrying these distinctive, curved concrete structures to our Greatworth compound. Most of these deliveries will not require any traffic management or vehicle escorts. They will travel at normal speeds along the highway, similar to other HGV traffic.
The precast method uses approximately half the amount of concrete, 20% less steel and significantly reduces the construction time required. It also eliminates the need to have heavy and disruptive manufacturing on-site near Greatworth.
We have also carefully considered the material choices for this structure. Concrete and steel are some of the biggest sources of carbon emissions within the construction industry and by reducing the amount of both materials needed for the tunnel, it is also expected to more than halve the amount of carbon that would have been embedded in the structure.
The installation of precast sections of the Greatworth Green Tunnel commenced in 2023. The deliveries will take place Monday to Friday, with regular deliveries, of between 5 to 15 deliveries each day during the peak construction period. Wherever possible, we will minimise the impact on other road users by coordinating deliveries and avoiding peak times. To deliver our widest segments safely, some occasional short periods of traffic management may be required. Installation of the tunnel segments is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
HS2 is undergoing a comprehensive reset to ensure it can be built efficiently and for the lowest reasonable cost. This work is being carried out in stages and will be completed in 2026. We will provide you with updates on the reset and what this means for our plans to build the railway in your area.
Download information relating to these works
Find out more about
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email [email protected]