Colne Valley Viaduct wins design award
The Colne Valley Viaduct, the UK’s longest rail bridge at 3.4 km, has won the engineering category at the 2024 Building Beauty Awards. Organised by the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust, the awards celebrate outstanding design in the built environment. The honour was presented by the Duke of Gloucester at a ceremony on 21 November.
Judges praised the viaduct as a “tour de force” of engineering and design that balances its large scale with a light and graceful presence across the Colne Valley. “The result is a breathtaking composition,” they said, noting the structure’s curved form, smooth concrete finishes, and subtle design details such as elegant expansion joints and acoustic wings. The viaduct’s reflection in the surrounding lakes was also highlighted as part of its striking visual impact.
Built by Align JV, a collaboration between Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick, the viaduct spans 57 arches supported by piers on land and in water. Construction began in 2021 near Denham, just northwest of London. The deck was completed in September 2024 with the fitting of the final pre-cast segment, one of 1,000 concrete components produced on site. Each segment, weighing up to 140 tonnes, was custom-shaped to achieve the viaduct’s sweeping curve and varying span lengths.
David Emms, HS2 civil engineering project director, accepted the award on behalf of the team, saying: “This recognition reflects the dedication of thousands of professionals who have worked tirelessly on this project. From the outset, our goal was to deliver a viaduct that works for all, respects its landscape, and will stand the test of time.”
Align project director Loïc Menard noted the technical complexity of the structure, saying: “Building this stunning design was a significant challenge. This award is a testament to the collaboration and effort of everyone involved, from our teams to the supply chain partners.”
The viaduct is set to become an iconic feature of HS2, carrying high-speed trains travelling at up to 320 km/h between London and Birmingham. Grimshaw, the architecture firm behind the viaduct, designed the structure to integrate seamlessly with the natural environment. Chris Patience, principal at Grimshaw, explained: “This viaduct celebrates the architecture of engineering. It blends technical demands with an elegant form that respects its unique setting.”
With construction of the viaduct complete, the project is now preparing for the next phase - installation of rail systems. The viaduct is expected to become operational as part of HS2 between 2029 and 2033, improving connectivity and freeing up capacity on the existing rail network.
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