Chelmsley Wood residents are being given the chance to have their say on the final plans for a bridge which will carry HS2 over a busy road. The high speed rail developer’s final designs for a Coleshill Heath Road Underbridge were lodged with Solihull Council in early December.
The High Speed Rail Act ensures required bridges are built but the authority considers matters related to their design and construction. As well the bridge plan permission is also sought for earthworks; an area for vehicle parking, security fencing and bollards and provision of artificial lighting.
In the application to Solihull Council, HS2 writes: “The site is located 100m southwest of the M6 and M42-M6 link road, with Coleshill Heath Road crossing through the southern part of the site. The site consists of recreational open space bounded by landscape planting such as trees and hedgerows which separate the site from adjacent roads.
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“The site is located entirely within flood zone 1, which signifies a low risk of flooding.” Included in the plans are artists impression of the bridge once completed.
The application adds: “The bridge structure has an approximate length of 19m (perpendicular to the road), a width of 24m (parallel to the road), a maximum height of approximately 12m from existing ground level to the top of the noise barrier, and a clearance of 6.26m from the highway level to the underside of the superstructure. Coleshill Heath Road Underbridge and retaining wall structure are required to carry four HS2 tracks.”
No public rights of way are affected by the works. A consultation on the plans is underway which runs until January 3.
To view the plans and submit a comment search for application PL/2024/02906/HS2DIS at https//publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk/online-applications. Once completed the high-speed rail link will connect to an interchange station near Birmingham Airport.
While the northern leg of HS2 was previously scrapped, phase one between London and Birmingham is expected to open between 2029 and 2033.