Planning permission has been granted for a key part of the HS2 line in the Midlands.
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) has given the green light for the design of the tunnel at Burton Green.
The plans for the southern end of the structure have already been approved by Warwickshire District Council.
The so-called ‘green tunnel’ will see the railway hidden and the roof covered by landscape planting and footpaths.
SMBC’s approval of the northern section of the structure – where the railway exits the tunnel in a 1.4 kilometre cutting with retained walls – completes the planning approvals for this stretch of HS2.
Alan Payne, HS2’s Senior Project Manager said: “We’re delighted to receive planning consent for the northern section of the green tunnel.
“We’re committed to maximising green space around the new high speed railway, and have worked with residents and authorities to ensure our tunnel design conserves, enhances and transforms the landscape in this area.”
The structure will be one of a number of green tunnels on the HS2 route, with others at Copthall in Hillingdon, Wendover in Buckinghamshire and Chipping Warden and Greatworth, both in Northamptonshire.
Work of the underground elements of the tunnel has already started, including the widening of the old historic railway cutting.