Passengers travelling through Birmingham over the August Bank Holiday weekend are being urged to plan ahead as major HS2 construction activity will lead to significant changes to rail services between Birmingham New Street, Derby and Nuneaton.
From Saturday 29 August to Monday 31 August 2026, HS2 engineers will undertake a major phase of work to install a new section of the Saltley Viaduct, a critical structure spanning the railway corridor between Birmingham and Water Orton. As a result, CrossCountry services between Birmingham New Street and Coleshill Parkway will be affected throughout the three-day closure.
The work forms part of the wider HS2 programme to deliver Britain's new high-speed railway into Birmingham. The existing viaduct is being demolished and replaced with a larger structure that is both wider and approximately two metres higher than the current bridge. Once complete, it will provide the necessary clearance for HS2 trains to pass beneath while also delivering improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
During the closure, some CrossCountry services will be diverted, resulting in longer journey times. Rail replacement buses will operate between Birmingham New Street, Water Orton and Coleshill Parkway to help passengers complete their journeys.
Routes affected include services between:
- Birmingham New Street and Leicester, Peterborough, Cambridge and Stansted Airport
- Cardiff Central and Nottingham via Birmingham New Street
- Birmingham New Street and destinations across the North East, Scotland and the South West
Passengers are strongly advised to check travel information before setting out and allow additional time for their journeys.
Patrick Cawley, Director of On Network Works for Network Rail and HS2, said:
"This August bank holiday, HS2 teams will carry out another important phase of work to replace Saltley Viaduct, a structure which spans one of the busiest railway corridors in the Midlands.
"The existing structure is being rebuilt to make way for Britain's new high-speed railway into Birmingham. We'd like to thank passengers for their patience while this work takes place and encourage everyone travelling over the bank holiday weekend to check before they travel."
Mark Anderson, CrossCountry's Customer & Commercial Director, said:
"We're sorry for this disruption to journeys over the August bank holiday weekend while this essential HS2 work takes place.
"From Saturday 29 until Monday 31 August, journeys between Birmingham New Street and destinations including Leicester, Nottingham, Peterborough, Cambridge, Stansted Airport, the North East and Scotland will take longer, with rail replacement buses operating between Birmingham New Street, Water Orton and Coleshill Parkway.
"We encourage customers to check their journey before travelling and allow extra time to complete their trip. We'd like to thank all those travelling for their patience and understanding while this important work is carried out."
The project is being delivered by HS2's construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI, in partnership with Network Rail. It forms part of an extensive programme of infrastructure upgrades across Saltley, Washwood Heath and Nechells, preparing the route for the arrival of high-speed rail services.
Image credits: Network Rail
