HS2 signals massive jobs boost for Hillingdon
Thousands of skilled roles and hundreds of apprenticeships will be created over the next 10 years
THOUSANDS of skilled jobs and hundreds of apprenticeships will be created over the next decade as construction work starts in the Hillingdon area on HS2, Britain’s new low-carbon, high-speed railway.
Construction of the first section of HS2 is under way after the government approved the route between London and the West Midlands. Now HS2 contractors building the railway in and around Hillingdon are taking steps to make sure local people benefit from the diverse job opportunities on offer, from construction workers to engineers, project managers to administrators.
A joint venture between Skanska, Costain and STRABAG is building a 16 mile (26.4 kilometre) section of the railway that passes through Hillingdon on the way to Euston station. More than half of this section will be underground, in tunnels. The company expects the building work to create about 4,800 jobs, including 400 apprenticeships.
One of HS2’s most spectacular projects will be the construction of a two-mile viaduct in the Colne Valley. The viaduct is being built by Align – a joint venture between Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerFitzpatrick – and is set to create 1,200 local jobs, including over 100 apprenticeships.
Align will focus on training local people who are unemployed, particularly women, under-25s and people with disabilities. The Skanska, Costain and STRABAG joint venture has also earmarked about 550 new roles for people who are out of work.
Building HS2 will also create opportunities for local businesses. HS2 Ltd, the company designing and building the railway, contacted more than 1,500 business along the route last year alone, explaining how to find and bid for the wide range of projects involved in creating the railway.
Phase One of HS2 – the section between London and the West Midlands – will create around 400,000 opportunities for UK businesses. The contracts cover everything from engineering solutions to catering services, logistics to electronic components.
Find more details at hs2.org.uk/ local-business.
Community funding for Hillingdon
While recruitment and business activities are ramping up, HS2 is already supporting communities in Hillingdon by awarding grants for youth activities, environmental volunteering, and health and wellbeing projects.
The grants came from the Community Engagement Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF). These funds, worth £40 million across the Phase One route, were set up specifically to support areas disrupted by construction work on HS2.
While the funding for the CEF and BLEF comes from HS2 Ltd, an independent charity, Groundwork UK, decides where to allocate the money.
Organisations working to improve their environment should apply for grants from the CEF, while the BLEF targets projects that support local business.
Greater London Middlesex West Scouts, environmental charity Thames21, and the Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust have collectively received almost £358,000 from the CEF.
The Scouts can now replace a dilapidated climbing wall at the Paccar Scout Camp i n Chalfont St Peter with one that experienced climbers and novices alike can enjoy. The grant also covers a new artificial caving complex, where young campers can learn about caving safely.
Thames21 works with communities to improve rivers and canals for people and wildlife. Its grant will be used to improve flood defences and biodiversity along the River Pinn.
This is in addition to more than 60 new wildlife habitats HS2 Ltd has already created between Hillingdon and north Warwickshire as part of its work to minimise and compensate for the environmental impact of the new railway.
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, the UK’s largest specialist heart and lung centre, is using its CEF funding to create a healing garden. Patients, visitors and staff will be able to seek peace and quiet in this accessible green space at Harefield Hospital.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds are still available for projects i n the Hillingdon area, from both the CEF and BLEF. Find out more at hs2funds.org.uk.
Keeping Hillingdon informed
HS2 Ltd understands that, as Europe’s largest infrastructure project, HS2 cannot always avoid affecting people locally. There are many ways for residents to stay informed and have their voices heard.
Residents can sign up for regular news alerts and find maps that show when and where work is taking place at hs2inhillingdon. commonplace.is.
Anyone who wants to discuss concerns about building work in Hillingdon can contact the HS2 Helpdesk all day, every day, on freephone 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
Phase One of HS2 will link London with the West Midlands within the next decade, freeing up space on existing railways for more local, regional and freight services. Until then, community representatives will meet HS2 Ltd regularly to discuss current and upcoming construction work.
In addition, a series of webinars will take place this year, while virtual drop-in appointments will give residents the chance to discuss concerns about the project one-to-one.