HS2 Ltd has shortlisted the bidders to become the design and delivery partner (DDP) for the Phase 2a route, the new section of the high-speed rail network connecting the West Midlands and Crewe.
The shortlisted bidders are:
- 2 Connect JV – Aecom / Costain Integrated Services
- AMS JV – Atkins / Mace Consult / Systra
- Jacobs U.K.
The winner is expected to be announced in the summer of 2022.
The GBP 500 million (EUR 590 million) contract vocers the design and delivery of the 58 km Phase 2a route. The role will include management and co-ordination of key contracts for delivering the railway’s detailed design and construction, which includes 2 tunnels, 17 viaducts, 65 bridges, and track along the route. Under the project, a maintenance facility will be constructed.
“The Phase 2a section of HS2 is a major investment in the region’s future low carbon transport infrastructure, that will provide an essential link between the West Midlands and northern England. This latest procurement will facilitate the benefits HS2 is set to bring to the region, before any trains have even started running, helping the UK to build back better from the pandemic,” HS2 Ltd Procurement and Supply Chain Director, Andrew Cubitt said.
Building on the work done in Phase One, the delivery of the Phase 2a will support opportunities for businesses and employment. HS2 Ltd recently raised to 6,500 the number of jobs supported by delivery of this latest section of the network, bringing the overall total across the project to more than 20,000 roles.
The new connection will reduce the travel time between London Euston and Crewe from currently 1 hour and 36 minutes to only 56 minutes. The Phase 2a line will run from the northern end of Phase 1 at Fradley in the West Midlands to Crewe in Cheshire. There services will join the existing rail network to create direct services to places including Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Carlisle and Glasgow. Crewe is also the station for connections to North Wales and Shrewsbury. The high-speed services will begin operating between London, Birmingham and Crewe between 2029 and 2033.
In July 2017, the government introduced the High Speed Rail (West Midlands to Crewe) hybrid Bill into Parliament and in February 2021, the Bill was gained Royal Assent.
Share on:
