The council's landscape team has told HS2 its new 78-metre bridge in Kenilworth should be a so-called 'green bridge' to help promote local biodiversity.

The high speed rail developer has recently put forward plans for the Crackley Lane Overbridge which will carry Crackley Lane over the new rail line.

The HS2 Act decrees the bridge will be built at some point, but Warwick District Council needs to sign off on certain aspects of the design.

But Warwickshire County Council's landscape team has submitted an objection to the scheme, saying it is a "missed opportunity".

"The written statement states that there is no requirement for the overbridge to be a 'green bridge'," the objection said.

"This seems a missed opportunity to fully reinstate the green corridor that characterised Crackley Lane, and to ensure connectivity between the significant habitats in the area.

"There is no visual screening provided in the south west of the asset.

"This is likely to affect road users on Blind Lane, and Crackley Lane, approaching the asset from the south. It is also likely to affect receptors from the Right of Way to the west."

A map outlining the proposed bridge (image via planning application)

Council officers have recommended HS2 "reinforce the character of Crackley Lane" with more trees and plant replacement hedgerows.

Plans show Crackley Lane will also be diverted near the junction with Cryfield Grange Road as part of the works, which will see the road carried over a new cutting.

The bridge would be 5.5 metres wide and have three spans.

"The overbridge structure will carry the realigned Crackley Lane over the new HS2 line and will travel over the proposed Roughknowles Wood Cutting (to be consented separately)," the application said.

It added: "The proposed overbridge structure is a 78m long span steel-composite bridge structure which will cross the new HS2 line approximately 200m north of the junction between Crackley Lane and Blind Lane and 150m to the south of the junction between Cryfield Grange Road and Crackley Lane."

The application comes after WDC recently signed off on plans for a 50-metre viaduct to carry the line over Finham Brook.

HS2 has also asked for approval on its designs for the bridge to carry the A46 over the rail link.

See the full plans here.