HS2 COLNE VALLEY VIADUCT

CCS Scaffolding Ltd are proud to be delivering vital access and safety solutions for the Align JV on the Colne Valley Viaduct, the UK’s longest railway bridge and one of the most complex and ambitious civil engineering feats of the HS2 project. Spanning over 3.4 kilometres across lakes and waterways in a highly sensitive environmental setting, the viaduct is a flagship structure of the HS2 route. Our contribution has involved extensive scaffold works to support the construction of the viaduct’s 56 piers and precast segments. These works include access scaffolds to the precast yard at the South Portal site, birdcage scaffolds for segment assembly and cantilever scaffolds for pier head works. We’ve also played a key role in the temporary works designs for viaduct deck launching operations, supporting both ground and elevated work platforms to facilitate lifting, stressing and post-tensioning activities.

Working in close coordination with Aligns construction and environmental teams, we’ve implemented bespoke scaffold solutions over live watercourses and in areas with significant ecological constraints. These include floating access platforms, fully encapsulated noise-barrier scaffolds and edge protection solutions for elevated working at height. Building on our strong history with Align JV’s partners on major infrastructure projects, CCS Scaffolding continue to offer full-service access provision from early design engagement and TW coordination through to ongoing maintenance, modifications and full dismantling strategies.

· Precast Yard Access: Scaffolding across the precast segment production facility including mould access, gantry crane interface platforms and movement corridors for secure and efficient operations.

· Pier Head Access: Complex cantilever scaffolds to enable works on top of piers up to 20 metres in height incorporating bespoke fall protection and integrated edge restraint systems.

· Deck Launch Operations: Temporary access platforms and support structures for the launching gantry and post-tensioning activities as viaduct segments are installed across the watercourses.

· Water-Based Scaffold Solutions: Floating scaffold systems and encapsulated platforms designed in conjunction with environmental constraints and temporary works requirements.

· Environmental Mitigation: Installation of scaffold frames to support acoustic barriers and visual screens, minimising impact on nearby communities and sensitive wildlife habitats.

· Public Interface Works: Scaffold support for public access structures and temporary crossings including safety barrier systems and signage for safe working near rights of way.

· WPPs & Briefings: Development of detailed WPPs and daily task briefings to ensure safe systems of work across a logistically complex and environmentally constrained site.

· Design Compliance: CAT III checked design packages for all major scaffold structures including Form C approvals where interfacing with Network Rail or TfL infrastructure is required

· TW Collaboration: Full coordination with Aligns Temporary Works team including TW Supervisors and Engineers, to align scaffold designs with broader structural and staging requirements.

Works on the Colne Valley Viaduct have been ongoing since early 2022 with CCS Scaffolding maintaining a continuous on-site presence. Throughout this time, we have supported Align JV in the safe and efficient delivery of this landmark structure by providing innovative access solutions and responding to evolving project demands. Our scope has included the design and erection of large, free-standing scaffolds fitted with acoustic sheeting to minimise noise and light pollution during night-time and environmentally sensitive operations. Delivering scaffolding in such a logistically and environmentally complex setting has presented unique challenges and CCS Scaffolding are proud to play a key role in the successful progress of this nationally significant infrastructure project.

Challenges:

· Working over live water bodies in a highly protected ecological environment with stringent mitigation and monitoring requirements.

· Delivering and maintaining scaffold works in a fast paced precast and launch cycle while managing programme critical operations.

· Managing logistics and safety in a site constrained by limited access routes, floating plant operations and restricted laydown areas.

Successes:

· Full scaffold support for multiple viaduct deck launches with zero RIDDORs or major incidents.

· Seamless integration of scaffold works into the segmental construction cycle, maintaining alignment with the viaduct’s tight build schedule.

· Design and execution of environmentally sensitive scaffold systems compliant with HS2’s strict sustainability and community impact requirements.