Kier Construction Limited won a contract for the Phase 2a of HS2 to deliver a major programme of highways and utility work for the high – speed rail connection north of the West Midlands.
Known as ‘Enabling Civils Works – Package 2’ (ECW2), the GBP 50 million (EUR 58.45 million) programme will be awarded in two stages and includes a range of early works designed to reduce disruption during the main build stage of the project. This includes major highways works and associated utility diversions as well as a range of environmental and other surveys along the 36 mile (58 km) stretch of route. The second stage of the work will be awarded in 2022.
“Kier will play a vital role in delivering the next stage of Britain’s new high speed railway, taking the route north from Birmingham to Crewe,” HS2 Ltd’s Procurement and Supply Chain Director, Andrew Cubitt said.
The contract award also follows the start of procurement for the Design and Delivery Partner for 2a earlier last month and the award of the Early Environmental Works contract earlier this year. Together, they underline how extending HS2 to Crewe will help secure jobs and help the UK to build back better from the pandemic.
“Being appointed to deliver this early works package allows us to build on our existing relationship with HS2 Ltd and implement lessons learned from Phase 1. We already deliver a range of projects in the area and our work on Phase 2a will provide increased employment opportunities for both local people and our local supply chain partners,” Mark Pengelly, Group managing director at Kier Infrastructure, said.
More than 16,000 jobs and 650 apprenticeships are already being supported by the project, which is set to transform transport links between Britain’s major cities, free up space on the rail network for more freight and local services and support the UK’s transition to net zero carbon emissions.
The Phase 2a of HS2 will provide transport connection for destinations such as Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and the north west, speeding up overall end-to-end journey times and freeing up space on the existing network.
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