Balsall Common Viaduct

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use British English|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox bridge | name = Balsall Common Viaduct | native_name = | native_name_lang = | image = | image_size = | image_upright = | alt = | caption = | coordinates = {{Coord|52.3970|-1.6412|display=inline,title|region:GB_type:landmark}} | os_grid_reference = | qid = | fetchwikidata = | onlysourced = | carries = [[High Speed 2]] | crosses = [[Heart of England Way]] | locale = [[Balsall Common]] | starts = | ends = | official_name = | other_name = | named_for = | owner = | maint = | heritage = | id = | id_type = | website = | preceded =  | followed =  | design = | material = | material1 = | material2 = | length = {{convert|425|m}} | width = | height = | depth = | traversable = | towpath = | mainspan = | number_spans = 17 | piers_in_water = | load = | clearance_above = | clearance_below = | lanes = | life = | diameter = | first_length = | first_diameter = | second_length = | second_diameter = | third_length = | third_diameter = | capacity = | num_track = 2 | track_gauge = {{Track gauge|Standard gauge}} | structure_gauge = | electrification = {{25 kV 50 Hz AC}} | architect = [[Weston Williamson]] | designer = [[Mott MacDonald]] and [[Systra]] | contracted_designer = | winner = | engineering = | builder = [[Balfour Beatty]] VINCI | fabricator = | built = | begin = | complete = Early 2027<ref name = "Solihull_Autumn_2025"> {{cite web |url = https://assets.hs2.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/HS2_BBV_Solihull_Autumn-2025-update-newsletter.pdf |title=HS2 Update: Solihull Autumn 2025}}</ref> | cost = | opened =  | inaugurated =  | rebuilt = | collapsed = | destroyed = | closed = | demolished = | replaces = | replaced_by = | traffic = High-speed passenger trains | toll = | extra =  | references = }}

'''Balsall Common Viaduct''' is a [[railway viaduct]] under construction in [[Balsall Common]] that will carry the [[High Speed 2]] railway line.<ref>{{Cite web |last1 = Cramp |first1 = Tom |last2 = DeSouza |first2 = Naomi |date = 5 August 2022 |title = HS2 viaducts: Residents react to Solihull plans |url = https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/hs2-viaducts-residents-react-solihull-24668032 |access-date = 10 February 2023 |website = Business Live |language = en-GB}}</ref>

The finalised design of the viaduct was issued in February 2023; it will be a mostly [[concrete]] structure, comprising 16 piers and a bridge deck approximately {{Convert|10|m|ft|abbr=off}} above ground. Various measures to mitigate acoustic, environmental, and community impact will be incorporated into the construction process and the finished viaduct. The viaduct is planned to finish in early 2027.<ref name = "Solihull_Autumn_2025"/>

==Design== The Balsall Common Viaduct will carry the railway line over Station Road, Bayleys Brook, the [[Heart of England Way]], and the local [[floodplain]].<ref>{{Cite news |last = Williams |first = Oliver |date = 9 February 2023 |title = HS2 viaduct plans in Balsall Common 'have taken local feedback into account' |language = en-GB |work = WarwickshireWorld |url = https://www.warwickshireworld.com/news/people/hs2-viaduct-plans-in-balsall-common-have-taken-local-feedback-into-account-4020461 |access-date = 10 February 2023 }}</ref> It will have a length of {{Convert|425|m|ft|abbr =off}}, be supported by 16 piers, and have a deck approximately {{Convert|10|m|ft|abbr=off}} above ground.<ref name = "white feb2023">{{Cite web |last = White |first = Chloe |date = 9 February 2023 |title = HS2's Balsall Common Viaduct plans reflect feedback from the local community |url = https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2023/02/hs2s-balsall-common-viaduct-plans-reflect-feedback-from-the-local-community.html |access-date = 10 February 2023 |website = RailAdvent |language = en-GB}}</ref> The piers have been designed to minimise their visual impact as much as possible while still fulfilling all relevant technical requirements as structural members.<ref name = "white feb2023"/> The viaduct will be constructed primarily of [[concrete]] and has been designed to require low levels of maintenance and to last for 120{{nbsp}}years.<ref name = "official summ">{{Cite web |title = Balsall Common Viaduct |url = https://www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/viaducts-and-bridges/balsall-common-viaduct/ |access-date = 10 February 2023 |website = HS2 |language = en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Theron |first=Damien |date=2021-11-16 |title=Balsall Common Viaduct - Design and Access Statement |url=https://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk/online-applications/files/F0FB8A5F517D0F7330A82AE0B3FF9E13/pdf/PL_2023_00013_HS2DIS-DESIGN___ACCESS_STATEMENT-1837320.pdf |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=Solihull Council - Planning}}</ref>

The viaduct features barrier parapets that incorporate an integrated acoustic surface to absorb the noise generated by passing trains.<ref name = "official summ"/> These parapets will be polished as to intentionally reflect the sky in order to reduce the viaduct's visual impact.<ref name = "white feb2023"/> Environmental impact mitigation measures include a native woodland planting scheme that will also provide screening of the viaduct; neighbouring land will also see hedgerow planting to improve wildlife connections. Bayleys Brook will be realigned to increase habitat for fish and aquatic invertebrates.<ref name = "official summ"/> Existing public rights of way will also be maintained and a new public space of roughly one hectare will likely be provisioned, the specifics of which are to be based on community input.<ref name = "official summ"/><ref>{{cite web |url = https://assets.hs2.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Balsall-Common-Public-Engagement-booklet-B.pdf |title = Balsall Common Viaduct Design |publisher = hs2.org.uk |date = May 2022}}</ref>

The main contractor for the viaduct's construction is [[Balfour Beatty]] VINCI.<ref name = "official summ"/> The method of construction would reportedly include the use of precast concrete beams along with other precast elements, such as the bridge parapets. Haulage routes between the site and the Lavender Hall Lane and Park Lane compound will be provisioned to separate the majority of construction traffic from the local road network.<ref name = "official summ"/> Various temporary measures to minimise the impacts of HS2 on the landscape and environment will be implemented.<ref name = "official summ"/>

==Construction== Following a twelve month community consultation process, the finalised design for the viaduct was released during February 2023.<ref name = "white feb2023"/><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/final-design-revealed-for-hs2s-warwickshire-viaduct-10-02-2023/ |title = Final design revealed for HS2's Warwickshire viaduct |publisher = [[New Civil Engineer]] |first = Rob |last = Horgan |date = 10 February 2023}}</ref> The consultation process was criticised for a lack of alternative options for the viaduct being presented to the community.<ref name = "secondclass feb2023">{{Cite web |last = Smith |first = Nick |date = 22 July 2022 |title = Locals 'being treated like second class citizens' over HS2 viaduct plan |url = https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/locals-being-treated-like-second-24541974 |access-date = 10 February 2023 |website = CoventryLive |language = en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.saqibbhatti.org.uk/news/saqib-bhatti-mp-calls-out-hs2-over-balsall-common-viaduct-designs |title = Saqib Bhatti MP calls out HS2 over Balsall Common viaduct designs |publisher = saqibbhatti.org.uk |date = 20 July 2022}}</ref> In May 2023, the British government overruled two rejections by [[Solihull Council]] for construction lorries bringing materials for the Balsall Common Viaduct works from driving on village roads; the rejections had been made on safety grounds, alleging that the roads lacked sufficient width and mitigating measures had not been satisfactory.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/ministers-overrule-councils-decision-to-restrict-hs2-balsall-common-viaduct-construction-lorries-25-05-2023/ |title = Ministers overrule council's decision to restrict HS2 Balsall Common Viaduct construction lorries |publisher = New Civil Engineer |first = Thomas |last = Johnson |date = 25 May 2023}}</ref> The project has been criticised for presenting a lack of alternative options during the community feedback stage, as well as for the additional road traffic that construction activity has generated.

== References == {{reflist}}

[[Category:Railway bridges in the West Midlands (county)]] [[Category:High Speed 2]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull]] [[Category:Transport in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull]]