New HS2 bridge in Solihull gets green light despite safety fears for walkers and horses

The high-speed rail developer’s designs for a Mercote Hall Lane overbridge were lodged with the authority earlier this year and went before Solihull Council’s latest planning committee meeting on Wednesday, (November 6). 

The High Speed Rail Act ensured the bridge would be built but the authority considers matters related to design and construction. 

The proposal was for an overbridge made of single span steel-concrete with a length of approximately 40 metres and width of approximately 14 metres.

HS2’s planning application said: “The site is located approximately 80 metres to the east of the highway junction between the A452 Kenilworth Road, Mercote Hall Lane and Marsh Lane.

The existing alignment of Mercote Hall Lane will be permanently diverted as part of this application – the proposed realignment will cross the HS2 railway line and form a junction with the access road to Marsh Farm.”

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But at the start of the meeting objector Richard Lloyd, from the Open Spaces Society (OSS), raised concerns about the design.

“This is an important application because it affects one of the few bridleways we have in the borough,” he told the committee.

“The key concern is one of safety. The proposal has walkers, cyclists and horse riders (one side of the bridge) and proposed to have 60-tonne quarry trucks rumbling through on the other side. 

“If a horse becomes spooked there are going to be serious injuries to anybody in that confined space. The British Horse Society, and others, believe this is not a safe arrangement.”

He urged the scheme be refused adding it would be a “blot on the landscape”. 

But Mark Eaton, from Balfour Beatty Vinci – HS2’s construction partner for the West Midlands said: “We have addressed all points raised by the OSS. 

“All objections have been satisfactorily addressed. The biggest contention relates to the design of the overbridge. The design of the overbridge cannot (legally) be modified. The route is also clearly defined in the HS2 act.”

Councillor Bob Grinsell, chairman of the committee, asked: “Are there speed limits on this bridge? Would they be visible to all?”

Paul Tovey, the authority’s head of highway management, explained there were no speed limits. “It’s a private access road,” he said. 

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“However, the alignment on the bridge will be self determining the speed on the bridge.”

The chairman said: “Mr Tovey you are always very optimistic, I regret I’m always pessimistic.”

The chairman suggested an informative – a note providing guidance around a planning decision to applicants – which he said would be needed to consider speed because of the horses, pedestrians and cyclists.

Mark Andrews, the authority’s head of planning, designs and engagement services, said this couldn’t be added as a condition but advised the informative could be added.

When it went to the vote councillors passed the scheme unanimously, subject to conditions and the informative for slow speed signage.

The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on Wednesday, (November 6).