HS2 has revealed plans for a bridge which will carry the A46 over the new railway line near Kenilworth.

The high speed rail developer says the dual carriageway would be closed for just 10 days to install the structure, which will mostly be built before being slid into place.

Plans submitted to Warwick District Council show the A46 Kenilworth Bypass Overbridge will be around 50 metres long and 40 metres wide, and will be big enough for an extra lane in each direction, should this ever be needed in the future.

HS2 is already well underway preparing the cutting on either side of the A46, and only needs the council to give permission on certain elements of the design.

"The A46 Kenilworth Bypass Overbridge has been subject to design refinement, assuring that it produces minimal negative impact," the application said.

It added: " The A46 box structure will be constructed offline to minimise impact on the strategic road network, before being jacked into place under a 10 day blockade."

The high speed rail developer has already been given permission for a major compound next to the A46 at Stoneleigh, which it says will be where the works are managed from.

HS2 works at the A46 crossing (image by Robin Stott)

The plans say HS2 hopes to "minimise traffic disruption on the A46".

"The A46 Kenilworth Bypass Overbridge is a road bridge that reinstates the A46 as it crosses over the HS2 railway tracks," the application explains. 

"The new carriageway will generally be at the same line and level as existing. 

"The structure consists of a concrete box structure with three spans that will be jacked into position during a temporary closure of the road. 

"The proposed design includes National Highways future provision for widening by an additional lane in each direction on the structure."

See the full application here.

HS2 is already working on the cutting either side of the A46 (image by Robin Stott)

(Inset images by Robin Stott via geograph.org.uk)