New pictures reveal the progress of some of the major construction projects underway for the building of HS2.

But with the line running through Solihull and Warwickshire to the new Interchange Station the area has seen significant disruption and upheaval due to HS2 works over the past few years.

Intense work has included tunnels, interchanges, land clearances and road closures.

During a recent meeting of Solihull Council's HS2 implementation advisory group Tahir Ahmed, senior engagement and interface manager at Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) – HS2's construction partner for the West Midlands – provided the latest update. 

Speaking on the construction of under and over bridges in Solihull he used slides of pictures to illustrate the work. 

Works around Balsall Common (image via HS2)

The updates included: 

A452 Kenilworth Road

This significant scheme sees the construction of an overbridge. The A452 will be realigned, including a new roundabout, to take the A452 over the new HS2 line.

"There will be some extensive traffic management next year," Mr Ahmed said.

Balsall Common Viaduct

It was reported a number of cofferdams – an enclosure built within a body of water to allow the enclosed area to be pumped out or drained – had been completed at this site.

Mr Ahmed explained the cofferdams would allow teams to construct the piers required.

Lavender Hall Overbridge 

Pictured is the temporary diversion road built. 

"We are making good progress on the bridge, it should be completed before the end of this year," he said.

"Once the bridge is complete we will require a 12 month closure of Lavender Hall Lane to complete other works."

The temporary diversion around Lavender Hall Lane (image via HS2)

Carol Green Underbridge

Mr Ahmed described this as a "challenging" structure but said the teams were making good progress. 

He added over the next few months there is planned weekend overnight works.

River Blythe Viaduct

Mr Ahmed said, similar to Balsall Common, cofferdams were in and people would start seeing piers before the end of the year.

During the meeting the BBV spokesperson explained the approach was to "minimise the impact on road users and communities" by completing preparatory works and building some of the bridges next to the existing roads.

"Once the bridges are built we then build a new road attached to the new bridge, then connect it to the existing road," Mr Ahmed explained.

The spokesperson told councillors this would help reduced the length of the impact but warned in some cases this wasn't possible and a long term closure of the road would be required.