---
title: HS2’s Burton Green tunnel structurally complete
url: "https://www.systra.com/uk/news/hs2s-burton-green-tunnel-structurally-complete/"
type: post
date_published: 2026-07-16
date_modified: 2026-07-22
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-GB
word_count: 938
reading_time: 5 min
canonical: "https://www.systra.com/uk/news/hs2s-burton-green-tunnel-structurally-complete/"
featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/burton-green-tunnel-hs2-web-header.jpg"
categories:
  - Non classé
---

# HS2’s Burton Green tunnel structurally complete

![Burton Green tunnel, HS2](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/burton-green-tunnel-hs2-web-header.jpg)

The 16-metre-wide twin-box-shaped tunnel will carry high-speed trains beneath
the village of Burton Green, near Kenilworth. The internal wall separates trains
travelling north to Birmingham, Manchester and Scotland, and south towards HS2’s
two London stations in Old Oak Common and Euston.

![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/burton-green-tunnel-structurally-complete_16213-1024x576.jpg)

_HS2 engineers have installed the final roof segment on the 700-metre-long Burton Green tunnel_

Now structurally complete, engineers and ecologists will turn their attention
towards the tunnel’s 500-metre-long ‘green roof’, to ensure the structure blends
seamlessly into the natural landscape, with ample green space above for local
communities to enjoy.

Doug Barnett, Senior Project Manager for HS2 Ltd, said: _“_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.”

A strong focus has been placed on connectivity and access to the new green space
for local communities – linking both sides of the village of Burton Green. Once
fully complete, the Kenilworth Greenway will be reinstated close to its original
alignment. It will run above the new tunnel to provide a link from Balsall
Common to Kenilworth, via Burton Green, for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.

Tim Akers, Design Manager from the Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture,
said: “A range of techniques were incorporated into the design to enable
construction through this narrow corridor within the village. The end result
will be a railway within a landscape, where the original character of the
Kenilworth Greenway and ecological connectivity to the wider landscape are
restored over the buried tunnel.”

![](https://www.systra.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/burton-green-tunnel-structurally-complete_16215-1024x576.jpg)

Excavated material from the tunnel is currently being reused for wider
landscaping works, in line with HS2’s sustainability commitments. Large-scale
planting of native trees and shrubs will provide biodiverse habitats for
wildlife and re-establish vegetated connections to Black Waste Wood and Little
Poors Wood.

HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), is working closely with
community groups and schools to explore ways in which they can enhance the
Greenway experience whilst celebrating the area’s unique landscape, ecology and
heritage.

Rupert Blake, Project Manager for BBV, said: “The structural completion of
Burton Green tunnel is a huge moment for BBV and our supply chain partners,
who’ve worked tirelessly over the last five years to get us here. 

“A range of construction techniques have been used to deliver this complex
engineering project, showcasing the team’s skill, expertise and resilience. The
next step is to install a 500-metre green roof on top of the structure, so it
integrates into the natural landscape.”

BBV’s civil engineering team is now working on the final elements of the tunnel,
including the escape walkway to the south of the tunnel, and the application of
fire-proof protection to the upper tunnel walls.

As the tunnel runs underneath Burton Green village, the team had to carefully
plan the whole construction schedule to ensure vehicle and pedestrian access
could be maintained.

Cromwell Lane, which links both sides of the village, was temporarily diverted
during the construction. In October, following the completion of vital utilities
works, it will reopen on its original realignment.

Recognising its significance to local communities, throughout the construction
phase HS2 also created a temporary route for the Kenilworth Greenway. This
starts at the site of the 
[Burton Green Village Hall](https://mediacentre.hs2.org.uk/news/new-state-of-the-art-burton-green-village-hall-opens-funded-by-hs2)
 and then follows the existing field boundaries linking with Berkswell Station
in the northwest.

Galldris Group were the main civils subcontractor and have played a key role in
the delivery of Burton Green tunnel and its associated retaining structures,
with a direct workforce of over 100 people based on-site.

Ibrahim Arshad, Senior Project Manager from Galldris Group, said: “From start to
finish, we have provided engineering expertise, detailed planning and
self-delivery capabilities to safely deliver this complex section of HS2.

“Working collaboratively with Balfour Beatty VINCI, the design joint venture and
the wider supply chain, we are proud to have contributed to the structural
completion of one of HS2’s most significant green tunnels.”

Burton Green tunnel is one of five ‘green tunnels’ being built on the route of
the railway. The cut and cover design means they are shallower than deep
twin-bore tunnels, and each tunnel will be finished with trees, plants and
shrubs on top, helping them blend into the landscape.  The four other green
tunnels are Copthall in outer London, Wendover in Buckinghamshire and Chipping
Warden and Greatworth, both in Northamptonshire.

HS2 Ltd CEO Mark Wild is now leading a comprehensive reset of the project to
ensure that it is delivered as efficiently as possible and for the lowest
reasonable cost. The 140-mile railway is now at a peak construction between
London and the West Midlands, with improvements in productivity made over the
last year and key milestones now being reached across the route. This includes
the recent successful operation to push HS2’s tallest viaduct into place in
Birmingham and the completion of piling works on the city’s Curzon Street
station.

**Find out more about our work on [high-speed rail projects](https://www.systra.com/uk/markets/transport/high-speed-rail/)**
.

**Categories:** Non classé