Ministers have announced the winning bidders to help build the first phase of HS2, awarding contracts expected to be worth £6.6bn.
The announcement covers the main civil engineering work on the first phase of the high speed rail link, between London and Birmingham – including construction of tunnels, bridges, embankments and viaducts - and is estimated to support some 16,000 jobs.
Separately, HS2 Ltd published the designers and engineers in the running for the four station design contracts on the Phase One route, as well as potential partners to take forward long-term development around London’s Euston station.
An artist's impression of HS2 at Euston
HS2 Ltd chairman David Higgins said: ‘This is a huge day for the HS2 project and for the country. These contracts will support 16,000 jobs here in Britain and will create opportunities for thousands of SMEs.’
The news comes as campaigners mounted fresh attacks on the controversial rail line amid further fears costs could spiral.
The Sunday Times reported that an estimate commissioned by the Department for Transport from rail expert Michael Byng has put the cost of the entire project at £104bn, making it per mile possibly the most expensive rail line ever.
Winning bidders to help build the first phase of the route are:
Area South
- Euston Tunnels and Approaches – SCS JV (Skanska Construction UK Ltd, Costain Ltd, STRABAG AG)
- Northolt Tunnels – SCS JV (Skanska Construction UK Ltd, Costain Ltd, STRABAG AG)
Area Central
- Chiltern Tunnels and Colne Valley Viaduct – Align JV (Bouygues Travaux Publics, VolkerFitzpatrick, Sir Robert McAlpine)
- North Portal Chiltern Tunnels to Brackley – CEK JV (Carillion Construction Ltd, Eiffage Genie Civil SA, Kier Infrastructure and Overseas Ltd)
- Brackley to South Portal of Long Itchington Wood Green Tunnel – CEK JV (Carillion Construction Ltd, Eiffage Genie Civil SA, Kier Infrastructure and Overseas Ltd)
Area North
- Long Itchington Wood Green Tunnel to Delta Junction and Birmingham Spur – BBV JV (Balfour Beatty Group Ltd, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, VINCI Construction UK Ltd, VINCI Construction Terrassement)
- Delta Junction to WCML Tie-In – BBV JV (Balfour Beatty Group Ltd, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, VINCI Construction UK Ltd, VINCI Construction Terrassement)
The shortlists for the four station design contracts includes Arup, Mott MacDonald, WSP, Arcadis and a Jacobs/BuroHappold/Idom Joint Venture.
The winners will work with HS2 Ltd to develop and refine the detailed plans for three brand new stations – at Birmingham Curzon Street, Birmingham Interchange and Old Oak Common in London.
HS2 has also published the names of the bidders in the running to win the Euston Master Development Partner contract. The winner will advise on, and later take forward, 'sustainable mixed-use development opportunities', including new homes, offices and retail space above and around the revamped Euston station.
This includes working with HS2 Ltd, Network Rail, the station design contract winner and local authorities to deliver a unified masterplan for the area.
Shortlisted bidders invited to participate in dialogue are:
- Westfield Europe Ltd
- Euston Regeneration Partnership (Led by Argent Related Services LLP)
- Canary Wharf Group
- Land Securities Property Holdings Limited
- Lendlease Europe Holdings Limited
The Government will also announce on Monday the final route for the extension of HS2, to Leeds and Manchester.
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