HS2, opens Birmingham headquarters

HS2 Limited opened its new headquarters in Birmingham last week amid a row with opponents over the escalating costs of the £55.7bn project.

What is likely to become an iconic rail infrastructure project is due to create significant opportunities for the UK construction industry and be a major boost to jobs in the engineering and construction sectors.

HS2 Ltd revealed in December, the seven joint ventures in the running for a share of the enabling works packages which includes: utility diversions, site clearance, ground remediation and drainage works.

The seven joint ventures in the running to pick up enabling works packages are:

1. BBV JV (Balfour Beatty Group, Vinci Construction Grands Projets SAS, Vinci Construction UK, Vinci Construction Terrassement SAS)
2. CEK JV (Carrillion Construction, Eiffage Travaux Publics, Kier Infrastructure and Overseas)
3. Costain Skanska JV (Costain Limited, Skanska Construction)
4. LM (Laing O’Rourke, J. Murphy & Sons)
5. Morgan Sindall / BAM / Ferrovial JV (Morgan Sindall, BAM Nuttall, Ferrovial Agroman (UK)
6. Align JV (BouyguesTravaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, Morrison Utility Services, Volkerfitzpatrick)
7. Momentum Infrastructure (Galliford Try Infrastructure, Hochtief Infrastructure, Dragados SA)

It has been reported that all seven joint ventures have been shortlisted for at least one of the enabling works packages.

In is anticipated that the successful bids for packages will be announced later this year.

We understand that The House of Commons Select Committee has almost concluded hearing petitions against HS2, which is now widely expected to receive Royal Assent this year for construction to begin in 2017. 

Acknowledgements: Finiancial Times and New Civil Engineer