A historic rugby club is poised to move to a new home for the third time in its 84-year history after its old site was bought by HS2.
Old Saltleians RFC, commonly known as Old Salts, is starting work on a brand new facility in Coleshill Road, Water Orton, after its former base was secured by the high-speed rail line.
The club had been housed in Watton Lane, also in Water Orton, since 1954 but the site is situated in what will be an important intersection of the new line between London and Birmingham.
Known as the Delta Junction, it is where HS2 will split before travelling up to the North West.
The amatuer club, which is in the Midlands 2 West (North) division, has been playing at a temporary home near Shard End east of Birmingham but intends to move to the new purpose-built ground in time for the start of 2022/23 season in September.
O'Brien Contractors is leading the development work of the new 17-acre complex which will include a clubhouse, coach and car parking, three senior pitches with floodlighting for one of them, three junior and two mini-rugby pitches.
Facilities will be open to the local community for its use as well as the club.
This will be the third time that Old Salts have had to move and the construction of the M42 and M6 Toll motorway had enforced two previous relocations.
Ian Mercer is a partner at chartered surveying practice Bruton Knowles and has worked with the club since 2011.
He said: "It has been a difficult time for Old Salts but, with work starting on site, we can now look forward to a more secure future and an opportunity for the club to set down permanent roots and ensure its presence in the local community provides real value.
"Complex negotiations with HS2 have taken us a little longer than anticipated but all parties can now be genuinely delighted with the end result.
"This has been a truly memorable and challenging development, given the need to ensure uninterrupted play, while waiting for the new permanent site to be completed."
Club chairman Mick Lee added: "Old Salts has always been a community rugby club, providing a strong, vibrant identity in the local area for youth and adult players and spectators.
"The intention now is to break out of survival mode and kick on, provide a home that we can all grow into, open the doors wide, inviting players of all ages and all skill levels to enjoy, while developing the women's and girls' section.
"Thus, continuing to introduce new generations to the sport and to the family environment it offers.
"We also believe that investment made at our temporary home in Shard End will leave a useful legacy for another club to use, expand into or relocate to.
"We are grateful to Birmingham City Council for their support in our exile since 2018. This will mark a new era for the club, its players, supporters and the community."
