HS2: Contracts signed for building of first bridges, tunnels and earthworks

The Government’s multi-billion pound HS2 rail project has taken step forward.

This week (August 1) saw the formal signing of contracts to deliver the bridges, tunnels and earthworks for the first phase of the high speed railway between London and Birmingham in 2026.

High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd chief exec Mark Thurston was joined in a signing ceremony at the firm’s Birmingham HQ by representatives of the joint ventures tasked with delivering the works; SCS JV, Align JV, CEK JV and Balfour Beatty VINCI.

The companies involved will go on to support 16k jobs across the UK-wide supply chain, as they carry out what the Government is calling the biggest investment in UK transport infrastructure since the first motorways were built in the late 1950s.

SCS JV, comprising Skanska, Costain and STRABAG, will construct the first section of the route – a tunnel between Euston and Old Oak Common, running on to Northolt.

Align JV, made up of Bouygues, VolkerFitzpatrick and Sir Robert McAlpine, will build the next stage, which includes the Colne Valley Viaduct and Chilterns Tunnel.

The mostly rural stages between the Chilterns Tunnel and Long Itchington will be delivered by CEK JV, whose members are Carillion, Eiffage and Kier.

The JV between Balfour Beatty and VINCI will complete the route by taking the line north past Birmingham Airport, into the city’s new Curzon Street station and on to Handsacre, connecting with the existing West Coast Mainline.

All of the contracts cover two stages. For the first 16 months, the contractors will collaborate with HS2 Ltd on the detailed design before starting construction in 2018/19. Preparatory work is already underway.

HS2 chief exec Mark Thurston said: “HS2 is more than just a railway. The contracts we sign today will provide much needed extra capacity and connectivity between our major cities, but it will also unlock huge opportunities for new jobs, homes and economic development and start to rebalance our economy.

“We are determined to deliver the project to new levels of safety and efficiency, with respect for communities, protection for the environment and value for money at the core of everything we do.”

He added: “The contracts we signed today will support 16,000 jobs and generate thousands of contract opportunities within the wider supply chain, spreading the benefits of this investment across the whole country.”

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