The first images of new footbridges have been released by HS2. The bridges with let footpaths and bridleways continue across the new railway as it passes through West Northants, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

The bridges will be made of weathering steel to help them blend into the surrounding countryside, and the sides will lean outwards to increase the view of the sky.

They were designed by contactor EKFB who are working with designers Arcadis Setec Cowi and architects Moxon.

For ease of assembly, each bridge will have the same basis with each end built into the earth to make it step free.

The new design will be in eleven locations around Aylesbury, the Chilterns, Chipping Warden, Westbury and Finmere. The first of these is aimed to be installed by October 2023.

Welcoming the new design, HS2 Design Director Kay Hughes said:
“HS2 will provide fast and frequent zero carbon journeys between London, the midlands and the north. But it’s also essential that we keep communities on either side of the railway connected.

“That’s why I’m pleased to see the first standard footbridge designs for the project. The elegant bridges have been specially designed for Bucks, Oxon and West Northants, with weathering steel beams to match the tone of the surrounding countryside. I hope that walkers, riders and the community will welcome the new bridges and benefit from the huge amount of high quality design work that the design team has undertaken to develop them.“

EKFB’s Head of Engagement David Griffiths-Allen said:
“EKFB is building more than 80 bridges across a 80km section of HS2, 11 of which are specific to connecting local communities by foot and making accessibility easy for local people and the equestrian community. We’re delighted with the design concepts of the bridges and a lot of thought and consideration has gone into making both designs sympathetic to the landscape and beneficial to the people who will be using them.”

Moxon’s Managing Director Ben Addy said:
“Safety is always paramount, however accessibility and transparency were also the key design drivers for these bridges – characteristics one wouldn’t always associate with railway overbridges. The design team looked at how we could make the bridge approaches and the landscape around them completely accessible to create a seamless user experience for all, whether travelling on foot, on bike, on horseback or with any type of mobility aid.
“With a simple but crafted structure, we combined contrasting materials such as oak and steel, giving a warm aesthetic and creating a tactile surface for people on their journey.”