Case Study: HS2
Great Missenden to Aylesbury Section
Client
Fusion JV
Sector
Rail
Location
Buckinghamshire, England
The Challenge
HS2 is the UK’s largest infrastructure project, delivering 345 miles of high-speed railway to connect London, Birmingham, Manchester and beyond. Before construction could begin, HS2 Ltd committed to the largest archaeological programme ever undertaken in the UK.
Infra, working as part of the Fusion joint venture, was tasked with leading investigations across the northern Chilterns and Aylesbury Vale - managing complex logistics, safeguarding significant heritage, and delivering insight to stakeholders while keeping the wider construction programme on schedule.
Our Approach
Infra deployed multidisciplinary teams of over 80 archaeologists, surveyors and specialists. Our methodology followed a structured progression:
- Desk-based assessments to map known heritage assets.
- Geophysical surveys across extensive farmland and greenfield areas.
- Targeted trial trenching to verify anomalies.
- Full-scale excavation of key sites, supported by drone imaging, soil sampling, and advanced digital recording.
Strong client collaboration was central to success. Engagement with Fusion JV, local authorities, Historic England, and stakeholders ensured that all works met rigorous standards of care, dignity, and compliance.
Some Statistics
Key Discoveries
Our work revealed nationally significant sites spanning 10,000 years of human history, including:
Wellwick Farm (Wendover)
- Rare prehistoric timber circle (c. 2500–2000 BC).
- Bronze Age barrow with central cremation burial.
- Roman square mausoleum with a lead coffin burial.
- Finds including a Neolithic macehead, Iron Age gold coin, Roman coins, and Anglo-Saxon beads.
Great Missenden
- Anglo-Saxon farmstead with multiple timber-framed buildings.
- Evidence of rural life in the 7th–10th centuries AD.
Ellesborough Road Hospital (Wendover)
- A significant prehistoric landscape was exposed, containing elements of the Late Neolithic / Bronze Age (a possible hengiform monument), Iron Age (structural, routeways and landscape subdivision), Roman (landscape subdivision and enclosed field system) and medieval (hollow way).
- The main feature, of national significance, was a 5th-6th century cemetery which had a total of 138 graves containing 141 individuals, the majority of which contained grave goods. The grave goods included jewelry, brooches, knives, shields, spears, glass beads, glass drinking vessels, ivory and bone artefacts to name a few. The burials were very well preserved with the majority containing a wide variety of high-status objects.
The Results
- Delivered the largest UK heritage programme to date with precision and care.
- Ensured HS2 construction progressed on schedule while meeting heritage obligations.
- Captured and preserved a wealth of archaeological data for future research and public engagement.
- Enhanced HS2’s reputation for delivering cultural value alongside engineering excellence.
Why Infra?
Our role on HS2 demonstrates Infra’s ability to manage complex, large-scale archaeological and heritage programmes alongside critical infrastructure delivery. Clients choose Infra for:
Scale
Resources to mobilise 80 specialists.
Expertise
Decades of archaeological and heritage management experience.
Innovation
Use of drones, digital modelling, and advanced scientific analysis.
Partnership
Strong collaboration with clients, regulators, and communities.
Outcome
By combining world-class archaeological expertise with rigorous project delivery, Infra enabled HS2 to safeguard heritage, enrich public understanding, and keep construction on track. The programme sets a benchmark for integrating archaeology into major infrastructure projects.