In response to community feedback, HS2 unveils landscape and design plans for Burton Green Tunnel and Kenilworth Greenway in Warwickshire
The new designs for the green tunnel at Burton Green and Kenilworth Greenway in Warwickshire show that HS2 has listened to the community and is focussing on delivering extensive green spaces around the railway, with enhanced environmental features such as large-scale tree planting, new footpaths and better connections to local woods.
Burton Green Tunnel
On the back of community feedback in November 2019, HS2’s contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI has worked with local authorities to compile a detailed design for the HS2 route through Burton Green.
The railway will travel through the area in a 400-metre green tunnel which will be carefully integrated into the surrounding landscape. As new designs show, the tunnel’s roof will seamlessly blend with the natural environment.
To construct the green tunnel, a cutting is created along the line of the existing Kenilworth Greenway, with a tunnel ‘box’ including a roof constructed within it. This cutting is then filled with soils to recreate the landscape and promote return of the natural ecology. This will conceal the tunnel and establish the landscape legacy for Burton Green.
Kenilworth Greenway
Kenilworth Greenway links Burton Green to Kenilworth Berkswell for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. Enhancing local biodiversity is another priority for HS2 and the local community and so the realigned Kenilworth Greenway will be lined with native trees and shrubs and easily accessible to the local woods. It is hoped that Black Waste Wood and Little Poors Wood will flourish once again. The aim is to shield this natural area from the railway line.
Whilst construction is underway, HS2 has provided a temporary route for the Kenilworth Greenway from the site of the new Burton Green Village Hall and linking with Berkswell Station in the northwest.
Portal building
The railway runs parallel to the Greenway and so it is important that HS2 takes necessary landscaping measures so that the Greenway remains a tranquil and natural spot. The south tunnel portal and the portal services building (which provides emergency access to the tunnel) will be constructed in a bowl-shaped landscape with trees and shrubs so that it is less noticeable. The portal building will have a green roof to increase biodiversity and integrate it with the surrounding landscape and planting.
‘A lasting, positive legacy’
Steve Fancourt, HS2’s senior landscape design manager said:
“As we work to deliver Britain’s new high-speed railway, we are presented with an unrivalled opportunity to leave behind a lasting, positive legacy for communities.
“Our designs show how we will ‘drape’ the landscape over the tunnel by placing soil to conceal the tunnel roof to support new native woodland planting, reconnected wildlife corridors and new public footpaths.
“New ecological features such as wildflower species found locally, and bat and bird boxes will create bigger and better wildlife habitats.”
‘We recognise the significant importance of green space’
Shaun Ruffles, landscape design director at Mott Macdonald, Balfour Beatty VINCI’s design partner, said:
“We recognise the significant importance of green space around HS2 and by working with residents and authorities, we are committed to conserving, enhancing and transforming the landscape in Warwickshire for local people and wildlife to enjoy for many years to come.
“The design for the permanent realignment for the Kenilworth Greenway and the landscape infrastructure created over the green tunnel is central to how we deliver this, linking the local community and HS2 project with the wider landscape.”
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