HS2’s construction programme in the West Midlands is entering a critical new phase as Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) prepares to launch the first 107‑metre section of the West deck of the M6 South viaduct on 11 April 2026. The structure—built to carry future high‑speed services toward Birmingham—is one of four sections being assembled for the parallel deck.
BBV’s engineering team forecasts a two‑day operation to manoeuvre the 1,250‑tonne weathering steel section into place. Using a proven slide‑launch method, a giant hydraulic jack will pull the viaduct over 102 metres of concrete piers before locking it into position.
To enable the move, the M6 Junction 4 southbound slip road will close from 5am on Saturday 11 April, with reopening anticipated at 10pm on Sunday 12 April, following final safety checks from the 45‑strong crew.
This significant stage follows the successful installation of the East deck, completed across three slides in 2025—including a UK-first where the main carriageway remained open as the structure moved overhead.
Ian Clarke, HS2 Ltd’s project manager for the M6 works, said:
“After safely completing the first viaduct on time, our engineers have wasted no time in forging ahead with the second installation.
Thanks to the world-class engineering techniques we’re adopting on HS2, we’ve once again been able to reduce the number of temporary closures on the motorway while we carry out these essential works.”
Engineering Challenges Unique to the West Deck
Unlike the East deck, the West deck must be launched in four stages, driven by site constraints including:
- A staggered abutment layout
- Tighter space requirements
- The curve of the loop road
This results in a shorter launching platform, requiring additional segmentation of the structure.
Lead BBV civil engineer Russell Luckhurst, from Solihull—already credited with delivering last year’s UK‑first East deck slide—is directing preparations with the launching nose now in position.
Russell said:
“Building on the success of installing the East deck viaduct last year, we’re gearing up for the first launch of the neighbouring West deck in April.
We’re using the same sliding technique, where a giant hydraulic jack will push the viaduct across the motorway in multiple stages throughout the year. The previous launches provided the team with invaluable experience, which they’re eager to apply to future works on this eye-catching structure spanning the M6.”
Upcoming Works Across the M6 and M42 Corridor
While the motorway will stay open during June’s second West deck launch, a complex summer programme is scheduled across both the M6 and M42. HS2 Ltd is coordinating closely with National Highways to finalise timings.
Kamaljit Khokhar, National Highways Midlands Head of Planning and Development, said:
“The impact of these major construction works on the people who use our roads is always our focus and we will continue to work with HS2 and their partners to ensure both the safety of road users and that disruption is kept to a minimum while this second viaduct is put into place.
We are very supportive of any initiatives which will reduce disruption for drivers and local communities and welcome the innovation being displayed by HS2 to keep the number of closures required to a minimum.”
Wider Progress on the HS2 Route
Despite major milestones such as the M6 viaduct installations, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Mark Wild is driving a comprehensive reset of the project to deliver the remaining 140-mile London–Birmingham section at the lowest reasonable cost and highest efficiency.
The West deck slide marks the start of an intensive year of activity across the motorway network as Britain’s largest infrastructure project continues to reshape transport connectivity in the West Midlands.
Image credit: HS2
