HS2 completes A361 road realignment over Chipping Warden green tunnel, advancing rail project despite delays.

A major milestone has been reached in the HS2 project with the completion of the A361 road realignment over the Chipping Warden “green tunnel” in North Oxfordshire, ending an 11-day closure. The 2.5km tunnel, built using a cut-and-cover method and covered with earth to blend into the landscape, is now 2.1km complete, with precast concrete segments installed at an improved rate of up to five-and-a-half per day. Work continues on the central section, and HS2 Ltd is implementing a programme reset to boost efficiency despite ongoing delays. The tunnel aims to reduce noise and visual impact while supporting faster rail travel and freeing capacity on the West Coast Main Line.