HS2 viaduct operation sees M6 slip road closure

The first section of a viaduct which will eventually carry the HS2 railway over the M6 is being moved into place this weekend.

The southbound exit slip road at junction 4 near Birmingham Airport will be closed between 05:00 BST on Saturday to 22:00 BST on Sunday, although HS2 said traffic on the main motorway carriageway would not be affected.

Once the 119m (390ft) structure is in place, work will begin on building the next section, which will be moved into place at a later date.

HS2 Ltd's Senior project manager Liam Kenny said it was "a big moment" in the construction of the railway.

A series of winches will slide the viaduct over the slip road using non-stick pads - made of a material similar to a household frying pan - at a speed of 6-8m (20-26ft) an hour.

"Once the first launch is complete, we'll move on to assembling the next section of the viaduct," Mr Kenny said.

"This will be attached to the back of the viaduct before the second phase launch is ready to commence, this time across the motorway."

He said he expected the next section of the viaduct to be moved into place in the autumn.

The viaduct - known as the East Deck, and which will carry two tracks to London - is one of two which are being constructed next to the motorway.

When complete, they will each be 320m (1,050ft) long.

Mr Kenny said work on the West Deck, which would carry another two northbound tracks, would begin next year.

"I'd like to thank drivers for their patience during these vital works, and thank our staff involved in this incredibly complex operation," he added.

"Of course, if we get the work done quicker than expected, we'll open the slip road early."

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