Contractor announced for Solihull Interchange
LAING O’ROURKE Delivery Ltd will build HS2’s Interchange station in Solihull in a deal that will see the company also work beforehand on its detailed design.
The contract, due to be signed after a standstill period, will be worth up to
£370 million. Covering an area of 370 acres (1.5 square kilometres), significant progress has already been made on the site. Modular bridges have been built over the M42 and A446 as part of changes to the surrounding road network in order to accommodate access to the station.
With up to five trains per hour in both directions – and links via an Automated People Mover to the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham International station and Birmingham Airport – Interchange has scope to be one of the best-connected transport hubs in the country.
Net zero
The initial design phase, which Arup worked on with HS2
Ltd, has already achieved BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Outstanding’ certification. Designed with net zero carbon emissions in mind, plans include maximising the use of natural daylight and ventilation, a roof design to allow the capture and reuse of rainwater and the installation of energy-efficient technology including air source heat pumps and LED lighting.
The Urban Growth Company, established by Solihull
Council to make the most of potential HS2-related economic opportunities, is proposing multi-storey car parking for the station in place of the previously-planned ground level spaces. UGC says this would release 74 acres (0.3 square kilometres) of land for development.