HS2 – is not only the country’s iconic project, but one of world’s largest construction projects
The HS2 network development will not only radically transform Great Britain’s railway system, through the new direct connections to the big cities, but will also have a major contribution to the country’s economy by creating over 25,000 new jobs with economic benefits estimated at EUR 114 billion (GBP 103 billion). Although technically and financially contested, this spring, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced her commitment to the project implementation. “We remain absolutely committed to HS2. It is a very important infrastructure project for the country. It is important that we increase capacity on this mainline and I believe that HS2 is the right way to do that,” May said during an interview with the Yorkshire Post.
With investments estimated at EUR 61,7 billion (GBP 55,7 billion), the project is divided in several phases, the first phase being estimated to be commissioned at the end of 2026 to provide connection between London Euston and Birmingham. The second phase, including a Y-shaped network will open after one year on the 2a section between West Midlands and Crewe (in 2027). Phase 2b will be commissioned in 2033 and will link Crewe to Manchester and West Midlands to Leeds.
Phase One major contracts
For the first phase of HS2, which includes the railway between London and West Midlands, the financial report of July 2017 showed that necessary investments amount to EUR 30 billion (GBP 27,18 billion). The railway will provide direct services to London and Birmingham on a 225-km high-speed railway allowing trains to serve Manchester, Liverpool, North West of England and Scotland, through the existing network. 4 new stations will be built in this phase, two in London (Euston and Old Oak Common) and two in Birmingham (at Birmingham Curzon Street and Birmingham Interchange station, near Solihull).
In July, the Government announced the winners of Phase One main construction contracts with a total cost of EUR 7.5 billion (GBP 6,6 billion). “This is a hugely important step in the construction of Britain’s new railway and underlines this government’s determination to deliver an economy that works for all. HS2 will deliver vital links between some of our country’s biggest cities, helping to drive economic growth and productivity in the north and midlands,” Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said.
Contracts signed on 1 August include major civil engineering works on the section between London and Birmingham, including the construction of tunnels, bridges, viaducts and dams. Contracts are divided in three sections.
Area South: includes the construction of the first section on HS2 route representing the tunnel between Euston and Old Oak Common to Northolt. The contract was assigned to SCS JV which includes Skanska Construction UK Ltd, Costain Ltd and Strabag AG. “We are delighted to have been awarded these major contracts by HS2 which follow on from the South Enabling Works Contract awarded last year,” Peter Jones, Executive Director and SCS JV board member said.
Area Central: construction of the next phase including Colne Valley Viaduct and Chilterns Tunnel. Align JV, a joint-venture of Bouygues Travaux Publics, VolkerFitzpatrick, Sir Robert McAlpine, will execute the construction. “This project will require a unique level of collaboration between all of us and the highest industry standards, expected by HS2, will be implemented in order to obtain the very best outcome,” Jérôme Furgé, Align Project Director said.
In the same area, the big rural sections, between Chilterns Tunnel and Long Itchington will be built by CEK JV, which includes Carillion Construction Ltd, Eiffage Genie Civil SA and Kier Infrastructure and Overseas Ltd. Actually, CEK JV will carry out works from North Portal Chiltern Tunnels to Brackley, and from there to South Portal of Long Itchington Wood Green Tunnel. 
“We are delighted to have been selected to help deliver this major infrastructure project and look forward to working in partnership with HS2,” Sean Jeffery, Chairman of CEK JV Board said.
Area North: BBV JV, including Balfour Beatty Group Ltd, Vinci Construction Grands Projets, Vinci Construction UK Ltd, Vinci Construction Terrassement, will deal with works that complete the route passing the railway north of Birmingham Airport to Curzon Street Station, and further through the connection with the existing railway West Coast Mainline at Handsacre. “We look forward to building on our successful track record of major infrastructure projects, and playing our part in the delivery of HS2,” Mark Cutler, Balfour Beatty Vinci HS2 Managing Director said.
After signing the contracts, contractors will collaborate with HS2 Ltd for detailed design for 16 months before initiating construction works in 2018-2019. Project preparation works have already begun, geological investigations are currently carried out along the whole route and they will be soon followed by ecologic and archaeologic works.
By signing these contracts, Great Britain is on its way to launch the operation of the high-speed railway to Birmingham starting 2026.
Ongoing works include the design of Euston, Old Oak Common and Birmingham stations, while invitations to tenders for the contracts that include the design of the four stations (part of Phase One) and invitations to dialogue for Euston Master Development Partner were submitted to shortlisted bidders. A new transfer point will be built in Old Oak Common, west of London, to connect HS2 with Elizabeth Line and Great Western Main Line.
Ongoing contracts
Also, part of HS2 Phase One, Department for Transport announced in June three shortlisted bidders for West Coast Partnership franchise including the supply of services on London – Birmingham section for a period of 3-5 years after the commissioning of the railway. The three bidders are: First Trenitalia West Coast Ltd, a JV of First Rail Holdings Ltd and Trenitalia SpA; MTR West Coast Partnership Ltd, including de MTR Corporation (UK) Ltd and Guangshen Railway Company, with 5 sub-contractors; and West Coast Partnership Ltd, a JV of Stagecoach Group plc, Virgin Holdings Ltd and SNCF C3.
The winner will collaborate with HS2 Ltd for the design and commissioning of HS2 initial services and will establish the transition of the revised West Coast Main Lie schedule to take full advantage of the extra-capacity provided by HS2.
In April 2017, HS2 Ltd launched the procurement process for the design, construction and maintenance of the high-speed trains that will run on the new network. The contract is worth EUR 3 billion (GBP 2,75 billion) and the winner will work with HS2 Ltd for the development of around 60 trains that will carry the passengers on the new network to the existing network. The contract stipulates the delivery of a rolling stock fleet included into a single contractual package, while invitations to tenders will be issued to shortlisted bidders next summer. It is estimated that the contract for construction of trains for the next phase of the project will be signed in 2019. In 2033, the procurement of trains will be tendered again.
The winner of the 60-train contract will have to provide maintenance services in the depot to be built in Washwood Heath, in Birmingham. As of 2026, the new trains will travel on the central network from London and West Midlands and also to Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, Preston and Wigan.
“It is a given that we want the trains to be comfortable, reliable and a pleasure to use, meeting the highest standards internationally for passenger experience, noise reduction, and environmental sustainability. But companies interested in bidding for the train contract need to push the boundaries. We want to see innovation, creativity and ambition. The construction of these trains will also leave a legacy for this country, boosting skills, generating employment and strengthening the manufacturing supply chain,” Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said when launched the competition.
Apart from the procurement of trains, the acquisition of control and energy supply system has also been launched. The pre-qualification questionnaire for this phase will be issued at the end of 2017 and the winner will be announced at the end of 2019.
2a and 2b routes confirmed
In July, HS2 entered a new phase with the signing of contracts for major civil engineering works of Phase One. Phase Two hybrid bill was brought forward and covers the construction of West Midlands – Crewe route and the rest of the route from Crewe to Manchester and from West Midlands to Leeds (Phase 2b) was confirmed. In November last year, the Government confirmed the major part of Phase 2b route from Crewe to Manchester in the west and from Birmingham to Leeds, in the east, with junctions to the existing network.
Phase Two, sections 2a and 2b, will extend the high-speed network from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds with a total length of 336 km, with connections to allow HS trains to continue their journey to Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
According to estimates, the development of phase 2a will require investments worth EUR 4 billion (GBP 3,7 billion), while that of phase 2b will require investments of EUR 27,5 billion (GBP 24,83 billion).
Phase 2a covers 58 km of railway and will start from Fradley (near Lichfield), the terminus point of Phase One, and will have a connection with West Coast Main Line (WCML) south of Crewe. The project also includes a connection to the first phase of Phase 2b.
In July, the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling introduced the Phase 2a High Speed Rail (West Midlands – Crewe) Bill to the House. This hybrid bill is to authorise the Phase 2a that will run between Fradley in the West Midlands and Crewe in Cheshire. If approved by the Parliament, the line expected to open in 2027, 6 years earlier than planned.
Also in July, the Secretary of State announced the decision on Phase 2b, from Crewe to Manchester and West Midlands to Leeds which was brought to consultation last year.
Phase 2b completes a Y-shaped network, the Western leg including Crewe – Manchester route (85km), while the Eastern leg will connect Phase One to Leeds. West Midlands – Leeds section will have 198 km.
Following consultations in November, the Government confirmed the amendments to Phase2b.
Western Leg: Golborne (Greater Manchester) rolling stock depot will be moved in the north of Crewe (near Wimboldsley) thus avoiding the significant environmental impact; in order to avoid gas infrastructure, mining and geological risks during construction and operation, over 800m were amended in the alignment of Middlewich – Pickmere route; it is proposed a change in the way the HS2 route approaches Manchester Piccadilly station that avoids West Gorton community and primary school, resulting in the tunnel portal being within the existing Ardwick rail depot.
Eastern Leg: it is proposed routing HS2 around rather than under East Midlands Airport; the M18 / Eastern route through South Yorkshire so that HS2 serves the existing station in Sheffield city centre and Chesterfield; at Long Eaton, the government consulted on two possible heights for the route (both using the same land corridor); it was confirmed a modified version of the 2013 route, 80m to the east through Measham, following the line of the A42 and passing through the north-western side of Measham before continuing to follow the A42 towards Tonge.
Phase 2b will include a series of steps to be achieved before launching the construction. Its design and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will have to be developed by 2018 followed by consultations. The hybrid bill is expected to be introduced in 2019 and Royal Assent is expected in 2022 with construction works to be initiated as of 2023. After ten years of works, this section will be put into operation, in 2033.
The HS2 network will significantly increase the capacity of passenger rail transport services with over 18 trains/hour, from 2033, travelling to and from London, with potential for another 12 trains/hour to and from Birmingham. According to estimates, HS2 will have a capacity of 300,000 passengers/day with additional capacity for more trains on the existing network.
By delivering new intercity services, HS2 will reduce the agglomeration in the network, thus creating new capacities for rail commuter transport and will also increase rail freight transport capacity, shifting traffic to railways.
by Pamela Luica
Share on:
