HS2 bridge in Balsall Common approved

Plans to build an HS2 bridge in rural Solihull have been approved.

The 425m (1394ft) long viaduct will transport high-speed trains over floodplain land in Balsall Common, West Midlands.

The application was postponed in July after Solihull council told HS2 it had not consulted residents properly.

It was approved on Wednesday. However, some councillors remained unconvinced about the project.

Meriden Conservative MP Saqib Bhatti said: "HS2 continues to fail to understand they have a responsibility to take the community with them, which this revised design, in my opinion, does not achieve."

"The design of this viaduct needs to better reflect the unique characteristics of Balsall Common and Berkswell," he added.

Meriden ward councillor Andrew Burrow withdrew his initial objection to the plan.

In August, HS2 agreed to incorporate local views of the bridge into the project.

HS2 manager Alan Payne said the plans would enhance the local history and provide new green areas for people and wildlife.

"We've engaged with the community and local councillors over the last couple of years to incorporate their feedback as much as possible," he said.

"We're very pleased to receive planning approval from Solihull Council for the design of the Balsall Common Viaduct," he added.

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