News on HS2 in Warwickshire

The Birmingham and Fazeley Canal Viaduct Key Design Element (KDE) is a significant structure which will be located about 1.1 miles west of Lea Marston and is just north of Junction 9 of the M42 Motorway.The viaduct will cross over the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal after crossing the M42 Motorway to the south via the HS2 M42 'Marston Box' structure.

We would like you to tell us what you think about our proposals for the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal Viaduct, your current experience of the canal and how you would like to use it in the future. There may also be an opportunity to make use of the space next to the viaduct pier (one of the supports) along the towpath of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and we would appreciate your views on this.

The importance of those who use the canal, including local walkers, will be integral to the context and design of this structure and we recognise the impact this new feature will have along this route. We want it to respect its surroundings and the local area and to help us develop the design of the viaduct, we are seeking to understand how best to use the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and the wider area. This includes considering:

We will be holding an online information event or 'webinar' to discuss our plans for the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal Viaduct on Tuesday 6 July, 12-1.15pm .

KDEs are structures along the route of the new railway that have been recognised to be important. This could be due to their size, proximity to stakeholders or their location within sensitive areas. The design for the viaduct has been developed with consideration for technical and structural requirements, as well as the impact on its surroundings.

A viaduct is a type of bridge, made up of multiple spans and connecting two points of terrain. On this project they will carry the high speed railway across valleys, rivers, roads and flood plains. Modern high speed trains travel at around four times the speed of Victorian trains so they require a flatter, straighter track, passing over and under the natural landscape. Modern viaducts have to cope with large longitudinal forces due to the braking and traction of high speed trains. They require stiff and strong supports, known as piers, to transfer the braking load forces from the train, which can be as much as a 770 tonnes load, to the foundations.

For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk