Local communities in the West Midlands are being asked to choose their preferred design for a new railway viaduct.

People will be asked to vote on the colour, finish and pattern designs for the acoustic parapets to be used on Balsall Common Viaduct, near Solihull.

Members of the public will also be shown various landscaping options. The new viaduct will carry HS2 trains on their approaches to Birmingham city centre and further underlines the high-speed line’s commitment to inclusive design.

The various designs will go on display at community events on Thursday 18 and Thursday 25 January, following approval of the Schedule 17 application for the viaduct by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council in September 2023.

The events will take place on Thursday 18 January at Balsall Common Village Hall, Station Road, CV7 7FF between 12:00 and 17:30, and on the same say between 17:30 and 19:30 at Balsall Common Methodist Church, Station Road, CV7 7EE.

The following Thursday (25 January), the public may visit Berkswell and Balsall Common Sports Association at The Lant Rec Ground, Meeting House Lane, CV7 7GE between 12:00 and 17:30 as well as, once again, Balsall Common Methodist Church between 17:30 and 19:30.

The various options for the parapet could include the use of just plain concrete or the use of reds and greens.  There could be a highly polished parapet with full-length patterning or a polished parapet with patterning only over Station Road. The use of polished concrete without patterning would reflect the different lighting conditions and the colours of the sky and the taller vegetation in the surroundings.

The parapet pattern could refer to local history.  A weave motif would represent the history of textile production in the area while a tree motif would represent the Forest of Arden.  A brick motif would bring to mind local brick-making while a ram’s horn would recall the history of livestock farming at nearby Ram’s Hall.  Samples of the materials to be used as well as videos of the various options will be available for viewing at the planned community events.

The landscaping scheme aims to integrate the viaduct into the area.  This involves the retention of the existing semi-open landscape character through careful placement of screening woodland for visual purposes. The scheme also aims to increase biodiversity through planting, seeding and introducing more water habitat.

Additional woodland planting will take place on the Balsall Common side of the viaduct.  More trees and shrubs will be planted around fishing lakes to provide more screening of the viaduct. On the Berkswell side, designs will complement the network of well-maintained hedgerows with mature oak trees. The vegetation alongside Bayleys Brook will be strengthened to provide an additional filter to views.

A planned marshland concept would create a new area of wetland for plants and wildlife, increasing the biodiversity of the area. The inclusion of soft ground, pools, long grasses and reeds will make it difficult to approach the structure, helping prevent any potential graffiti, vandalism or trespass.

Local residents will be able to access this new habitat area through a network or causeways.  The area could also be used for educational purposes.

The structure is being built by HS2‘s main works contractor, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), supported by a Design Joint Venture of Mott MacDonald and SYSTRA together with architects Weston Williamson + Partners.  Construction of the 16 piers has already started by BBV.  These will carry the 425 metre-long viaduct up to 10 metres above ground, crossing over Station Road, Bayleys Brook, the Heart of England Way Walk and the local floodplain. Construction refinements have reduced the size of each pier by as much as 17% for single piers and 28% for double piers, giving the structure a lighter appearance.

Nick McGough, Director at Weston Williamson + Partners, and Lead Architect for the BBV Design Joint Venture, said: “We have responded to the feedback from the Local Planning Committee and developed new design options which create either a bolder, more prominent viaduct in the landscape, or reduce its prominence, effectively making it more subdued. This is achieved with different treatments to the acoustic parapets which can significantly change the character of the structure.

“We now look forward to hearing people’s feedback on the colour, finish and patterning of the viaduct’s parapets, along with options about different types of planting in the areas around the structure.”

Christoph Brintrup, HS2’s Head of Landscape, added: “Over the last two years we have refined the landscape design for the Balsall Common Viaduct using feedback from residents, businesses and community groups. This has resulted in increased landscape integration, visual connectivity and public access being incorporated in the final design stages.”
People are being asked to provide feedback on three landscape design options which focus on either conserving the landscape character, planting additional woodland or creating a marshland concept.

Community events:

Thursday 18 January 2024 – 12:00noon – 5:30pm at Balsall Common Village Hall (Station Road, 112, Balsall Common, CV7 7FF)
Thursday 18 January 2024 – 5:30pm -7:30pm at Balsall Common Methodist Church (Station Rd, CV7 7EE)
Thursday 25 January 2024 – 12.00noon – 5:30pm at Berkswell & Balsall Common Sports Association (The Lant Rec Ground Meeting House Lane, Coventry CV7 7GE)
Thursday 25 January 2024 – 5:30pm – 7:30pm at Balsall Common Methodist Church (Station Rd, CV7 7EE)