Construction work is underway on a critical HS2 bridge which will maintain the important A43 road link between Oxford, Brackley, and Northampton.

The roadway provides key access to Silverstone and acts as a connector between the M40 and M1.

Essential groundwork for the A43 overbridge has started just outside Brackley, following the successful, temporary realignment of both carriageways.

The realignment project spanned seven months, requiring only two weekend closures.

HS2 partnered with National Highways to create a 'island' between the two carriageways, spacious enough to accommodate new bridge deck construction.

Currently, HS2 engineers are working on the 52m deep piled foundation, which will bear the bridge's weight.

The foundation will feature concrete pile caps and piers supporting the 66-metre-long bridge deck that will carry the A43.

The deck, once completed, will see the road moved back over the bridge, making way for the railway excavation underneath to try and reduce disruption.

HS2’s Senior project manager, Elizabeth Longinotti, said: "It’s great to see the start of foundation works for the A43 overbridge.

"Once complete, HS2 will boost connections between Britain’s two largest cities while freeing up space for more local services on the existing network."

She also said: " But it’s also vital that we keep the local routes which people depend on open while we build the railway.

"That’s why we’ve worked closely with National Highway and our contractors to design and deliver a complex multi-stage project which will keep disruption to a minimum while we deliver this key overbridge."

The section of the railway passing Brackley which includes the A43 bridge is being delivered by HS2’s main works contractor, EKFB.

National Highways network planner for the East Midlands, Phil Shaw, said: "We always strive to minimise disruption for people using our roads when any work is being carried out and have liaised closely with our HS2 partners to do so on this complex project.

“Working together we have not only been able to limit the impact on drivers of building the overbridge but have also been able to take advantage of any road closures to carry out some routine maintenance work which means we won’t have to come back and close the road another time.”

Tony Wehby, EKFB's project director, said: "EKFB’s priority was to minimise disruption for local road users and to keep communities connected as best as possible."

Signifying the HS2 scheme's ambition, the A43 is only one of approximately 500 bridges linked to the project.