A 1.5‑mile stretch of the Grand Union Canal near Ufton, Warwickshire, has reopened seven days ahead of schedule, following the successful launch of a new 130‑metre, 1,620‑tonne steel HS2 viaduct installed by Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) engineers.
The major engineering milestone—taking place between 4–5 March 2026—saw the bridge deck slide across a country road, the canal, and the popular towpath using the ‘skid shoe methodology’, a well‑proven technique for moving heavy structures. Two hydraulic jacks pushed the deck forward at speeds of up to 10 metres per hour, assisted by Teflon‑coated specialist pads to reduce friction.
The structure was then lowered into its final position at 19:00 on Thursday 5 March, marking the end of a two-and-a-half-year programme of complex civil engineering works delivered for HS2’s construction partner, BBV.
Major Engineering Works Completed Ahead of Time
At peak construction, a 40‑strong team worked on the viaduct, delivering:
- 34 piles driven to depths of up to 30 metres
- Two concrete piers cast parallel to the canal for a more aesthetic design
- Two abutments and 37 precast planks forming the base of the deck
- A new seven‑metre‑deep retaining wall, replacing a century‑old wash wall to strengthen the canal before works began
During construction, real‑time vibration monitoring was used to protect the Grade II listed Longhole Bridge, which spans the Grand Union Canal and supports local traffic and pedestrian routes.
Harry Toase, civil engineering lead at Balfour Beatty VINCI, said:
“The team has put in a huge amount of work to prepare for the bridge installation and shown meticulous attention to detail throughout to protect the canal and nearby Grade II listed bridge. I’m delighted we’ve been able to complete the works one week ahead of schedule and thank the local community for their patience.”
Critical Link in HS2’s Warwickshire Segment
Longhole viaduct sits just one kilometre from the north portal of the Long Itchington Wood Tunnel. As HS2 trains emerge from the tunnel, they will pass through Ufton Wood cutting before joining the Welsh Road embankment and crossing the new viaduct.
Vicki Lee, Senior Project Manager at HS2 Ltd, said:
“Thanks to the hard work of our engineers and site-based teams, we’ve made good progress in this area over the last 12 months, with completion of the Long Itchington Wood Tunnel and the successful Longhole viaduct slide operation. There’s still a vast amount of work to do as we turn our attention to the embankments and cuttings that will link these sections of the railway ahead of track and power being installed.”
Partnership with the Canal & River Trust
The reopening of the canal—owned by the Canal & River Trust—was deliberately scheduled for the end of the winter stoppage season on 13 March, minimising disruption for boaters on one of Britain’s most cherished waterways.
Construction along the HS2 route between London and the West Midlands now supports around 30,000 jobs, as the high‑speed line moves toward future operations that will unlock capacity on the West Coast Main Line and improve connections further north.
Image & video credits: HS2
