Birmingham viaduct to be knocked down as part of ‘major’ HS2 works

The 600ft long Saltley Viaduct will close for up to 18 months, as a ‘hugely complex’ project to replace the 130-year-old structure with a taller road crossing gets under way.

The viaduct, which spans the Birmingham to Derby rail line, the Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal, and the River Rea, was built to replace a level crossing on railway line in 1895 during the city’s Victorian-era railway boom – but engineers say it’s too short for HS2 trains to pass underneath safely.

A demolition programme of the structure will take place in four stages beginning 10 May, according to demolition contractors Balfour Beatty VINCI, with a serpentine network of utilities already rerouted ahead of the works.

As well as being six-feet taller than the current viaduct, the new bridge will also be 15ft wider to provide more space for cyclists and pedestrians.

It will become the second bridge to be knocked down and rebuilt as part of ongoing high-speed rail works in the Saltley area, after the new Aston Church Road over-bridge opened to vehicles and pedestrians earlier this year. The new bridge is set to form an essential part of a diversion while the 18-month demolition process takes place, according to HS2 bosses.

The Saltley Viaduct spans the Derby rail line, the River Rea, and the Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal. Credit: HS2

Rail services between Birmingham and Derby are set to be disrupted for two weekends during the first phase of project, from 6 – 7 June and 13 – 14 June, while engineers demolish the former Aston Church Road over-bridge and a section of the Saltley Viaduct directly above the railway line.

In a bid to reduce closure times much of the new structure will be built off-site and levered into place using large cranes, while the span over the railway line will be fabricated on-site and driven into position using a heavy-lift platform vehicle, known as a “Self-Propelled Modular Transporter”.

“Delivering this construction programme in such a busy and confined space is a huge challenge, which has required a great deal of planning,” said Dan Binns, senior project manager for Balfour Beatty VINCI.

“We’re incredibly grateful to those affected for their continued patience and understanding, while we deliver these essential works.”

HS2 says the Saltley Viaduct designs mirror the works that have already taken place at Aston Church Road, with both new bridges delivering significant design and safety improvements, including wider walkways and LED lighting.

Victoria Roberts, HS2’s Senior Engagement and Interface Lead for the West Midlands, said passengers and road users should plan for extra delays until the completion of the project.

“We thank local communities for their patience ahead of this next stage of construction works and ask people to familiarise themselves with the approved diversion routes that will be put in place,” she said.

“As some bus services will be rerouted, we’ve worked closely with Transport for West Midlands to ensure additional temporary stops and extra services will be put in place.”