Construction of HS2 interchange station at Solihull moves on

HS2 has unveiled further progress with the new high-speed interchange station at Solihull taking shape after 15 colossal bridge beams were lifted into position.

The 150-hectare site sits in a triangle of land between the M42, A45 and A452 and will be the catalyst for huge growth in Solihull. The new station will support 30,000 jobs, up to 3,000 new homes and 70,000 square metres (sq m) of commercial space.

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Once operational, it will serve passengers travelling on the new high-speed line to London and destinations in the north.

The contract to build Interchange Station was awarded to Laing O'Rourke last year, with work currently underway on design.

HS2’s main works civil contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), is currently preparing the site where the new station will be built and carrying out preliminary civil engineering work ahead of full construction to start in early 2026.

The giant beams weigh a collective total of 565 tonnes and are the foundation of the two-lane bridge, which will stretch 63.5 metres once finished.

Due to be completed in early 2025, the next phase of construction will see a concrete deck placed on top of the beams, before parapet walls are installed and surfacing work can take place.

Maddy Belgrove, site sub agent for Balfour Beatty VINCI, said: "HS2’s Interchange Station is really beginning to take shape, now we’ve safely and successfully lifted the 15 bridge beams into place.

"This five-day operation required a huge amount of planning and precision, and I’m really proud of the way the team has responded to this challenge, especially during the recent bad weather."

HS2 is building more than 500 bridging structures route wide, which range from small footbridges to major viaducts.

As construction continues at pace between the West Midlands and London, HS2 now supports more than 31,000 jobs.