Kenilworth Town Council has questioned why it was not consulted on the designs for the new Dalehouse Lane overbridge before HS2 submitted its application.

According to an objection from the council, HS2 had agreed to discuss the designs with councillors at a recent forum meeting.

But with a planning application being submitted to Warwick District Council earlier this month, councillors have once again been forced to criticise the handling of local engineering works.

"At a recent HS2 forum with Sir Jeremy Wright MP, the HS2 representatives agreed to consult with the town council's cycle working group on the design and formation of the overbridge," the council's objection said.

"This has not taken place and members would welcome this before any permission has been approved."

Necessitating the closure of the road into town for up to 14 months, the project will eventually see a three-span overbridge built.

A drawing of the proposed bridge (image via HS2)

The HS2 Act decrees the bridge will be built, with Warwick District Council only able to comment on certain aspects of the design.

Town councillors also criticised the lack of clarity in the planning application.

"There were very few plans or diagrams for members to reference that related to planning aspects," the council's objection said.

"Members did not find the engineering pre-construction drawings helpful in determining this application."

While a three-metre cycleway is referenced in the design documents alongside the application, councillors said the drawings were not clear.

"Members could not identify any cycle plans, measurements, routes etc," the objection added.

"There must be a clear, safe cycle path which includes a safe transition onto and off the roadside. Members also noted there was no footpath which continued off the bridge to the north."

The HS2 line will pass around the edge of Kenilworth (image via HS2)

Plans show on the western side of the bridge the earthworks will be 94 metres long and 1.8 metres high. 

On the other side they will be 118 metres long and 1.2 metres high.

The Dalehouse Lane application is the latest in a number of issues identified by the council around HS2.

In particular local members recently labelled the organisation "disgraceful" over the way it had handled the upcoming closure of Kenilworth Road - details for which have since been revised.

The major closure of Dalehouse Lane is not expected until early 2025, but a shorter closure is due to start later this month for preparatory works.

See the full application here.