With the scrapping of the northern leg of HS2, we’ve had a lot of people ask us how we’ll be affected, bearing in mind Cappers Lane is right in the path of the HS2 track.
Well the answer is – we won’t be affected. Phase one of HS2, is known as the ‘London to Birmingham’ phase, but a lot of journalists don’t seem to know where Birmingham ends and Staffordshire begins.
A letter from Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, to Sir Michael Fabricant MP, said:
“We will continue to deliver Phase 1 of HS2 from London to the West Midlands, with branches to central Birmingham and to Handsacre.”
Cappers Lane bridge is in the path of the new railway line and will be demolished. This means a new Cappers Lane bridge will need to be built and the canal diverted. Balfour Beatty Vinci will build the new bridge and a new section of water-ready canal from the diverted point to just south of the new HS2 viaduct.
The new Cappers Lane bridge and diverted canal (as shown in the photos) was due to be completed in 2025, but this has been delayed and is now likely to be in 2027.
(Updated November 2023: work is now expected to be resumed in 2027.)
