Updates revealed on the major HS2 construction projects across Solihull

The latest pictures of the major construction projects for the building of HS2 in Solihull have been revealed. Solihull Council gave planning approval to HS2 Interchange Station in 2020. It will serve Solihull, Birmingham Airport and the NEC.

The plan is for the high-speed rail link - which will slash travel times between London and Birmingham - to open between 2029 and 2033. The Solihull area has seen significant disruption and upheaval due to HS2 works over the past few years, with work on tunnels, interchanges, land clearances and road closures.

At the latest meeting of Solihull Council’s HS2 implementation advisory group Tahir Ahmed, senior engagement and interface manager at Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) - HS2's construction partner for the West Midlands - provided updates on various HS2 projects and provided new images (see photo gallery below). The updates included:

Burton Green

Mr Ahmed said: “We are starting to dig under Cromwell Lane. The retaining structure we are working our way up to Waste Lane.

“We are making really good progress.”

Balsall Common Viaduct

A number of cofferdams - an enclosure built within a body of water to allow the enclosed area to be pumped out or drained - are being constructed at this site. He reported there were 16 piers to construct adding: "You will start seeing those come out of the ground in the next three to six months.”

9 pictures show progress of Solihull's major HS2 construction projects

View gallery

River Blythe Viaduct

The work here sees the construction of viaduct piers as cofferdams are in. Mr Ahmed said there would be temporary traffic management installed to create a safe working area while work continues.

Lavender Hall Lane Overbridge

“The next phase of work is to install the beams and to complete the deck," the HS2 chief said. “Once we have completed the structure, we will require a long-term closure of Lavender Hall Lane - 12 to 14 months - to complete the road realignment.”

Waste Lane Overbridge

Mr Ahmed said over the next nine months, work will be completed on this overbridge, with the aim to bring it into use by “late 2025, early 2026”.

A452 Overbridge

The bridge is complete here. Mr Ahmed said: “We will construct the new road and start work on the roundabout - that will require some traffic management on the A452.”

Carol Green Overbridge

Providing an update on this project he said: “The next phase of works are to install the parapets and, going into next year, we will start the earthworks on the embankment."

A45 Overbridge

Two service bridges are to be completed. “Once these service bridges are complete, we will switch traffic from the existing road to the new bridges,” he said.

M42 Motorway Box

Mr Ahmed said teams were creating a “working area” on either side of the motorway and central reservation. “We have got some weekend closures coming up going into early December,” he added.

The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on October 24.