HS2 has been granted planning permission by Birmingham City Council for two new viaducts.

The viaducts will take the new high speed railway into Curzon Street Station in the city centre.

Curzon Viaduct No.3 and Lawley Middleway Viaduct are part of the Curzon Street Station Approach area, which is made up of four connected viaducts between Duddeston Junction Viaduct and Curzon Street Station in central Birmingham.

The other viaducts are Curzon Street No.1 Viaduct, furthest from the station, and Curzon Street No.2 Viaduct which is currently undergoing a planning application.

A number of design refinements have resulted in a shorter construction programme and less concrete needed to build the viaduct, bringing positive environmental and community benefits.

The viaducts are being designed by a design joint venture of Mott MacDonald and Systra and architects Weston Williamson + Partners, all working for HS2’s civils contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI joint venture.

David Speight, client project director at HS2 Ltd, said: “We are very pleased that Birmingham City Council’s planning committee approved the plans for these viaducts. This decision represents a significant approval for HS2 in Birmingham city centre and means we are on track to bring high speed rail to the West Midlands, increasing capacity and connectivity across the UK. 

“In addition, our design refinements on the viaducts will bring a range of extra benefits, including reducing the construction time and materials, reducing the amount of carbon we need on the project.”

Nick Robertshaw, project manager from the design joint venture Mott MacDonald and Systra added: “BBV and the DJV design team have brought their global expertise to tackle the significant engineering challenges involved in fulfilling HS2’s design vision for this iconic structure, which will provide a catalyst for social and economic development.

“This landmark milestone for the programme has only been made possible through the ‘one team approach’ facilitated by HS2 with Birmingham City Council, whose critical input and collaboration has enabled this achievement.”

The Curzon Viaduct No.3 is approximately 300 metres long and the height above ground level varies between five and six metres. It is 65 metres wide at the widest point and will be supported by 30 piers. 

As it approaches Curzon Street Station, the deck of the viaduct widens from a single deck at the eastern end to four separate decks at the western end to maximise daylight in the public space underneath. V piers have been developed to support the viaducts because they take up less room at ground level and will also have a side recess for future potential services to be visually integrated. 

As well as separating the viaduct into four separate decks, the V piers will also help to maximise the opportunities to create a usable and flexible public space under the viaduct.

As Curzon Street No.3 Viaduct crosses the Digbeth Canal, the concrete V piers are substituted with four inverted steel piers which reference the heritage of canal-side cranes in Birmingham. 

This also means the Digbeth Canal area will remain a visually attractive area to the public, combining the 21st century HS2 infrastructure and the 19th century Digbeth Canal area, ensuring a positive legacy for this part of the city.