The introduction and expansion of the British railway network in the first half of the 19th century revolutionised travel and the transport of goods across the country. Aside from transforming transportation, the cuttings for the new railway lines revealed rock outcrops that had never before been seen – and, in turn, unveiled a wealth of palaeontological discoveries. Over two hundred years later, ongoing expansion of Britain’s rail network continues to produce scientifically significant geological exposures and important palaeontological finds.

The High Speed Two (HS2) rail project, which runs from London to Birmingham, passes through the full extent of the Jurassic system in the English Midlands. This includes the oldest Jurassic beds near Southam, Warwickshire, and the youngest Jurassic beds exposed south of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Outcrops revealed through cuttings and tunnels during HS2 excavations have produced some spectacular and exceptionally well-preserved fossils, including ichthyosaur remains, crustaceans, trace fossils, and a diverse range of molluscs and cephalopods. Some of these finds are presented here.

These discoveries not only refine our biostratigraphical understanding of Britain’s Jurassic strata, but also highlight the unexpected ways in which cross-country infrastructure projects, such as pipeline installations, road construction and railway development, continue to contribute to our geological and palaeontological knowledge.