One of the viaducts for use with HS2 was pushed over the M6 this month, whilst the motorway remained open to traffic.

It is thought to be the first time this operation has taken place on a UK motorway, and it took 17 hours and three stages to complete.

The previous slide at this location needed a weekend closure, but the HS2 team worked with National Highways to develop a process to allow the motorway to remain open.

The M6 was initially closed overnight between Junctions 4 and 5 to allow the viaduct to be shifted forward by 12 metres, which allowed both ends of the beam to be supported.

The viaduct was then pushed over the motorway last Saturday at a speed of 13 metres an hour, with only the M42 slip road closed.

“Along the HS2 route we are pioneering new approaches to engineering and construction in order to deliver more efficiently and with less impact on our neighbours.

“We believe this fully restrained slide was a first for the country, but most importantly it means we’ve been able to cut in half the number of times we’ve had to close the motorway. I’d like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make the operation a success.”

Caroline Warrington, HS2 Ltd’s Head of Delivery