Officially opened on 15 February by Birmingham Councillors, the new aqueduct at Selly Oak looks good and is in an impressive setting which is soon to be rid of construction.
The aqueduct runs alongside (as it has done for many decades) the main rail track for Worcester and beyond. The latter also has a matching new bridge. Both will have lofty views over the new Selly Oak Bypass which will pass underneath them. There are other impressive views from the two structures as shown in the following photos below…..View from the West showing the rail bridge with the aqueduct behind.
Close up of the two structures showing boat crossing the aqueduct.
View East from the aqueduct showing the University of Birmingham campus in the distance. The Joseph Chamberlain clock tower dates from 1900 and rises 100meteres, and is the tallest free standing clock tower in the world. The new road is below on the right.
Looking to the West from the aqueduct is the new rail bridge and the new super NHS Queen Elizabeth hospital in the distance. It was opened in June 2010 at a cost of £545million,. It has 1213 patient beds including a 30 bed military ward for military personnel injured in the course of duty.
A larger view of the hospital from the above direction.
View from Selly Oak West along the bypass under construction. The long focal length of the camera lens compresses the distance and seems to show the train running along the aqueduct.
Click on images for larger views.
