Firms hoping to play major role in HS2 are revealed

A SHORTLIST of firms vying to become the Design and Delivery Partner (DDP) for the new section of Britain’s high speed rail network has been unveiled.

The trio of bidders are hoping to secure the major £500 million contract which will see it partner with HS2 Ltd to lead the design and delivery of the 36-mile Phase 2a route – connecting the West Midlands and Crewe. The role will include management and coordination of key contracts for delivering the railway’s detailed design and construction, which includes two tunnels, 17 viaducts, 65 bridges and track along the route.

It is also expected to support 5,000 jobs during its construction.

The shortlisted bidders are:

2 Connect JV – AECOM Limited / Costain Integrated Services Limited

AMS JV – Atkins Limited / Mace Consult Limited / SYSTRA Limited

Jacobs UK Limited. HS2 Ltd procurement and supply chain director, Andrew Cubitt, said: “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 expects to announce the winning bidder in the summer of 2022. The latest shortlist announcement comes just a month after HS2 Ltd unveiled the shortlist for the £240 million civil engineering contract for Phase 2a. The six bidders hoping to land the major contract are BAM, Galliford Try, John Graham, Kier, Laing O’rourke and Skanska.