HS2 has revealed that its engineers have installed the last roof segment on the Burton Green tunnel in the West Midlands, completing the structure of the tunnel.

The twin-box-shaped tunnel is 700 metres long and 16 metres wide, and passes beneath the village of Burton Green, near the historic market town of Kenilworth in Warwickshire. It is one of five ‘green tunnels’ on the HS2 route, although its environmental credentials are disputed.

Trains will travel through the tunnel, with an internal wall separating those travelling northbound from those travelling southbound. Burton Green tunnel is among several key HS2 structures in the area.

Civil engineers are now working on the final elements of the tunnel. These include finishing the escape walkway to the south of the tunnel and applying fireproof protection to the upper tunnel walls.

The next step will be for engineers and ecologists to create the tunnel’s 500-metre-long ‘green roof’, which will provide a green space that local communities can access. The realigned Kenilworth Greenway – a route used by walkers, cyclists and horse-riders – will run above the tunnel and link Balsall Common with Kenilworth, via Burton Green.

Material that has been excavated in the construction of the tunnel is currently being reused in landscaping works. Native trees and shrubs will be planted in order to provide habitats for wildlife and to re-establish vegetated connections to Black Waste Wood and Little Poors Wood.

The construction of the tunnel caused some disruption in the area. Cromwell Lane, which links the two sides of the village, was temporarily diverted and will not reopen until October.

The Kenilworth Greenway has also been adjusted to a new route, starting at the site of the Burton Green Village Hall and following the field boundaries that link with Berkswell Station in the northwest.

“With the main civil engineering complete, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the 150-strong team on the ground, we can now begin the next phase of this exciting project.

“We look forward to working with local communities to bring the bold design vision for Burton Green tunnel to life, maximising the potential of this new green space.”

Doug Barnett, Senior Project Manager for HS2 Ltd