HS2 has been granted planning approval for the last two “Key Design Elements” (KDEs) to take the line into Birmingham.

Now that approval has been granted for the design of these two new viaducts, all eight Key Design Elements on the West Midlands section of the line have passed their Schedule 17 process.

The eight structures were specified as Key Design Elements because of their size, particularly near communities, or located within sensitive areas.

In designing the viaducts, the views of local communities were taken on board in arriving at the final designs.

River Blythe Viaduct

This is a 475-metre-long structure, just south of the new HS2 Interchange Station in Solihull, and crosses the River Blythe, a floodplain, and Meriden Road near Hampton in Arden.

It received Schedule 17 planning approval from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

Saltley Viaduct

Including approaches, the Saltley Viaduct is 225 metres two miles northeast of Birmingham city centre. It will carry the B4144 road over HS2, the Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal, the Birmingham to Derby railway line and the River Rea.

It will have extra lighting and incorporate a wider pathway for cyclists, and the stainless steel material used in its construction will be replaced by weathering steel panels. Planning approval was granted by Birmingham City Council.

Other Key Design Elements in the area

• Aston Church Road Overbridge two miles north-east of Birmingham city centre that will carry Aston Church Road over HS2.
• Balsall Common Viaduct in Solihull is a 425-metre viaduct just outside the built-up part of Balsall Common, on the north-eastern side of the existing Network Rail line.
• Burton Green ‘green tunnel’ in North Warwickshire is a 700-metre “green tunnel” that will connect to the Kenilworth Greenway and provide a new landscape for the local community.
• Water Orton Viaducts, comprising two 700-metre viaducts east of the M42 and Lichfield Road carrying HS2 over the River Tame and the Birmingham to Peterborough railway line between Water Orton and Coleshill Parkway Stations.
• River Cole Viaducts, comprising two parallel 158-metre viaducts over the River Cole in North Warwickshire on the western part of the HS2 Delta Junction.
• Chattle Hill Structure, in the northeast corner of the Delta Junction carrying HS2 over the A446 Lichfield Road.

Achieving these two KDE planning approvals is a significant milestone for the project. It’s been hugely important for us to engage and consult with communities as we reach the final design stages of these key structures in the West Midlands, and we’re very grateful for the feedback they have provided.

Our designers have incorporated local feedback in all of these Key Design Element structures, including enhanced environmental features, use of materials and additional amenities such as footpaths and cycling tracks in the areas around them, ensuring that we have the best outcome for everyone.

Stephen Powell, HS2 Ltd’s Head of Delivery

All of HS2 needs to be designed sensitively but KDE structures in particular were identified through the parliamentary process due to their scale and significance. The whole team has worked incredibly hard for over 6 years to engage local communities in a process which has involved Local Authorities, key stakeholders and the HS2 Independent Design Panel.

The approvals received for the River Blythe Viaduct and Saltley Viaduct complete the set of KDEs in the West Midlands which will bring HS2 into central Birmingham, whilst contributing positively to local communities. For the River Blythe Viaduct this includes landscape enhancements whilst at Saltley, active travel is encouraged with dedicated pedestrian and cycleways separated from road traffic.

Nick McGough, Director at Weston Williamson + Partners, and Lead Architect for the Balfour Beatty VINCI Design Joint Venture, which is designing HS2 in the West Midlands