Work begins on digging HS2’s longest cutting
THE three-year task of creating the HS2 project’s longest cutting will require the removal of 1.3 million cubic metres of stone and soil. Early phases of work to create a route for the railway between Barton Hartshorn and Mixbury (near Brackley) have been progressing since September. The 2.5 mile cutting will be up to 11 metres deep and crossed by six bridges. Work is also underway on the 2.1 mile Calvert cutting in Buckinghamshire, which roughly follows the former Great Central Railway route and will take trains under four roads and the East West Rail line, which is also under construction. The alignment will be 9.7 metres deep and designed to accommodate local lines alongside HS2 in future. Engineers expect the material excavated to consist of clay, sand, gravel and limestone and it is destined for reuse in construction work elsewhere on the project.