The search begins for companies to build the two London stations for HS2 at Euston and Old Oak Common.
THE search has begun for companies to build the two London stations for HS2 at London Euston and Old Oak Common.
HS2 Ltd claims they will unlock 79,000 jobs and an extra 29,000 homes around the stations. They will also attract businesses and housing developers to the area, and will be some of the bestconnected locations anywhere in the UK.
Contracts for stations in Birmingham will follow next year. These are expected to unlock 52,000 jobs and almost 6,000 new homes.
“The launch of the search for construction teams to build the southern HS2 stations is another major step towards making Britain’s new railway a catalyst for growth across the country,” said Rail Minister Paul Maynard.
He said winning bidders must ensure that the stations provide the best possible customer experience, and that there will be development opportunities surrounding the stations. That will also be the case in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and the East Midlands, he said.
HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Mark Thurston said: “Over the next decade the successful bidders will go on to build two of the most challenging and high-profile elements of the project.”
The winning bidders will work with HS2 Ltd and the designers, while acting as construction partners. They will be responsible for programme management as well as buying, integrating and managing supply chains.
HS2 Ltd expects around 4,000 jobs to be supported by the station construction, and around 700 during operation.
At Euston, there will be 11 new platforms that will be built in two phases, almost tripling the capacity. The staged approach means existing services can continue to operate, says HS2 Ltd.
Bidders for both contracts are expected to be invited to tender by the end of the year, with contracts awarded in autumn 2018.
HS2 Ltd says market engagement has already begun regarding the Birmingham stations. Contracts are expected to be awarded in 2020, with the procurement process starting next year. HS2 Ltd says these require shorter lead times.