25/03/2026

Northampton HS2 Project

For over 2 years, the Altrad Generation Northampton team have supplied essential access solutions for HS2’s key infrastructure.

Project Overview

Working alongside engineers from the EKFB consortium, the Altrad Generation Northampton team designed and supplied a comprehensive range of critical access solutions across some of HS2's most complex structures. Operating across multiple live construction sites simultaneously, the team deployed Scaffold Stair Towers, Edge Protection Systems, Temporary Fencing, Crowd Barriers, and Traffic Management Barriers to maintain site safety and enable secure working at height. Their work spanned major structures including the A43 Over Bridge, Turweston Green Bridge, Westbury Viaduct, Turweston Viaduct, Radstone Road Overbridge, Chipping Warden Green Tunnel, and the Sheephouse Wood Bat Protection Structure.

Turweston Green Bridge

The Turweston Green Bridge is a major 5,940 square metre structure, designed to carry a country lane and footpath across the new high-speed railway while creating a natural wildlife corridor, with space for hedgerows and vegetation that will allow small animals, insects and birds to cross safely above the railway cutting.

With large steel beams of up to 105 tonnes being lifted into position to support the pre-cast concrete deck, safe access at height was essential. To meet this requirement, the Northampton Team supplied four 10-metre-high Generation Stair Towers alongside Ranger Stair Towers and Edge Protection Systems, providing secure and practical access to the deck as construction progressed.

These solutions ensured that engineers could work confidently and safely during the installation of the slab, helping to maintain productivity while supporting the successful delivery of a structure that will ultimately carry both transport links and a fully landscaped crossing for the surrounding environment.

Turweston & Westbury Viaducts

Concurrently, construction was progressing on the nearby Turweston and Westbury viaducts and the Altrad Generation Northampton Team continued to play a vital role in supporting safe access across these complex structures. Spanning the floodplain of the River Great Ouse, the twin viaducts were constructed using an efficient box-beam design, with reinforced concrete layers formed around steel beams to reduce the overall carbon impact of the build.

The 320m deck of the Westbury viaduct was assembled in three stages, ranging from 84m to 135m with each one pushed out from the north abutment before the next section was attached behind it.

A key stage of the project was the construction and installation of the 320-metre Westbury viaduct deck, which was assembled in three sections before being carefully pushed out from the north abutment in a staged deck slide operation. To support this critical phase, the Northampton Team supplied fourteen Stair Towers along with substantial quantities of Traditional Scaffold Tube, Fittings and Boards, creating safe and reliable access to each of the piers. This ensured engineers could carry out essential work and inspections with confidence as the deck slide progressed.

In addition to access systems, the Northampton Team also provided Temporary Fencing, Crowd Barriers, and Traffic Barriers, helping to maintain clear, controlled and safe working areas across the site. Together, these solutions demonstrate Northampton’s ability to deliver comprehensive, practical support for large-scale infrastructure projects, keeping works moving safely and efficiently at every stage.