Green bridge assembled over high-speed train route

The foundations of the bridge have been built and 36 steel beams are now being installed

Construction of a new "green" bridge over the route of the HS2 rail line has begun.

The bridge, at Turweston, close to the Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire border, will include a country lane and footpath to provide a safe corridor for animals, insects and birds.

It is one of 16 sixteen similar bridges being built over the line between London and the West Midlands.

Cameron Thompson, head of delivery at HS2, said: "This impressive structure will help keep communities connected, while protecting wildlife and biodiversity on either side of the railway."

A computer-generated image shows how the bridge will look from above

The 5,940 sq m (63,938 sq ft) bridge will be planted with cover for wildlife.

The foundations have been put in place and the next stage will be the addition of 36 steel beams.

Once the bridge is built, work will continue to place the railway tracks underneath.

As well as the bridges, five "green tunnels" are being built between London and Birmingham, with some up to one and a half miles (2.4km) long.

HS2 will run between London and Birmingham, with the majority of the project due to be completed by 2033