When Align JV needed bespoke Environmental Noise Barriers for the UK’s longest railway bridge, the Colne Valley Viaduct, they turned to Littlewood Group. Spanning 3.4km through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the challenge was to deliver acoustic performance, durability, and visual harmony – all while accommodating 320kph HS2 trains.

Designing Beyond the Brief
Originally commissioned for a 40-year lifespan, Littlewood Group pushed the boundaries – engineering barriers to last 60 years, with structural posts rated for 120. This extended performance drastically reduces lifecycle costs, maintenance needs, and environmental impact.

Tested to the Highest Standards
Performance was validated through rigorous UK and European testing, including full-scale dynamic load assessments and a UK-first Insertion Loss Test at RAF Bentwaters. The barriers exceeded acoustic targets while proving their resilience to the forces of high-speed rail.

Recycled, Recyclable, Responsible
Sustainability was central to the solution. The panels are made from 90% recycled aluminium and incorporate 100% recyclable acoustic materials, minimising embedded carbon while supporting HS2’s net-zero ambitions.

Littlewood Group’s noise barriers don’t just blend into the landscape – they elevate it, setting a new benchmark for design-led, environmentally conscious infrastructure.


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Credited Organisations: Kohlhauer