Council planners have given the go-ahead for a new 'green' bridge to carry a diverted footpath over the HS2 line.

Works will see a 53.5 metre-long bridge carry footpath W130 over the line near Rugby Road, Cubbington.

While the bridge will be made of precast concrete, it will be landscaped "to preserve nearby ancient woodland while promoting improved ecological connectivity of species across the HS2 line".

Warwick District Council signed off on the plans this month.

The application to the local authority said: "The overbridge will comprise a precast concrete arch structure with a maximum length of 53.5 metres.

"The top of the overbridge will be 25 metres wide and will incorporate a two metre wide footpath. 

"The footpath will be formed of unbound gravel with a timber edge with 500mm grass verges either side.

"At the footings of the overbridge structure, two linear stretches of angled 'rip rap' (a stone aggregate) will be established adjacent to the HS2 railway line.

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"The overbridge will also be covered with landscape earthworks and planting incorporating a 1.5 to 1.6 metre wide hedgerow with 1.5 metre wide grassland buffers either side of the footpath."

The HS2 Act decrees the bridge will be built at some point - with the council only able to comment on certain elements of the design.

Click here to see the full application.

An artist's impression of the new bridge (Image via planning application)