HS2

HS2 starts hunt for partners to deliver station developments

HS2 has now begun its search for bidders to work on the design and development contracts for four stations that will be built to accommodate the high-speed line.

The company is looking for partners to deliver a number of key station projects, including a development partner for London Euston, and architects and designers to build the new Birmingham Curzon, Birmingham Interchange and London Old Oak Common stations.

Around 170,000 jobs are expected to be brought in from the wider developments around the stations and economic benefit of the new route.

Separately, another contest has started to find a master Development Partner to advise on and take forward the development of new homes, offices and retail space around London Euston, which has been a controversial issue over the last few years.

Transport minister Andrew Jones said that the contest was a major step forward in constructing the stations and moving HS2 forward as a catalyst for Britain’s economic growth.

“The winning bidders will need to ensure the stations provide the best possible customer experience. There are also huge opportunities for development near all the HS2 stations,” he said.

“HS2 Ltd is progressing its search for a partner to deliver new homes, shops and offices around Euston station once the core HS2 work is complete.”

And HS2 commercial director Beth West added: “We’re looking for the brightest and the best from across the industry to help us deliver one of the most tangible legacies of the HS2 project – three brand stations and a major expansion of London Euston.

“All four present unique challenges and opportunities for the winning bidders,” she emphasised. “Together we will deliver world-class designs that help unlock wider local regeneration opportunities and provide unparalleled levels of accessibility, ease and convenience for the travelling public.”

Finally, David Biggs, managing director of Network Rail Property, said that the organisation welcomed the opportunity to create a new London destination at Euston that mirrored King’s Cross and St Pancras.

“The HS2 terminal at Euston will have a similar effect, it will become the initial focus for the wider regeneration of the station and surrounding area with an opportunity to create a new vibrant commercial and residential district in the heart of London with fantastic connectivity to the rest of the UK and Europe,” he added.

HS2 executives will hope that the process kick-started today runs smoother than some of its other contracts, which recently have hit major obstacles.

Having just published its design vision for the high-speed line, it was revealed that the company had scrapped a £10m contract bid for management services, and been forced to restart the procurement.

More significantly, RTM also revealed that CH2M had pulled out of the £170m civil engineering contract for Phase 2B, after a competing firm Mace raised concerns over HS2 Ltd’s handling of the procurement.

HS2 were also sharply criticised in a report by QS Michael Byng, who said that Phase 1 costs were likely to soar to £48bn, and result in there being little or no budget left to actually complete Phase 2A to Crewe and Phase 2B to Leeds.

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