HS2 tunnel to be built under Birmingham

HS2 Ltd, the Government-owned company behind the project, has announced proposals for the 250mph trains to run underground to the east of the Castle Bromwich Business Park.

The new route, under the M6 Bromford Viaduct, would prevent the loss of school playing fields, social clubs and transforming two major roads. The original proposal followed the existing Derby to Birmingham railway line before running for about 0.6 miles under the motorway.

But bosses have been forced to rethink after realising the works would involve a major overhaul of two important highways at the busy junction between the A47 at Bromford Lane and Heartlands Parkway, and part of Chester Road.

The project would have also meant moving the River Tame south, building flood defences and relocating National Grid pylons. The company said a tunnel would in fact reduce disruption to the area. A second option would see the new line situated on land around existing railway tracks.

The tunnel forms part of the first phase of the project from London to Birmingham, before passing through swathes of Staffordshire in the second phase where the line forks north. The project has been criticised by thousands of residents whose homes will be blighted or lost.

HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Alison Munro said: "Following a review of the alternatives a tunnel design was considered to be the preferred option as it proved to be less complex in engineering terms and would avoid the loss of local community facilities."

She added:?"Along with significantly reduced journey times to Leeds, London, Manchester, Sheffield and the East Midlands, HS2 will free up much needed capacity on existing lines."

The tunnel recommendation will be included in the draft Environmental Statement for the first phase of HS2 and put out for consultation.

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