HS2

Duo of shortlists revealed for HS2 station design and master development contracts

The names of the designers and engineers who are formally in the running to develop detailed plans for three brand new stations and majorly expand London Euston have today been named by HS2 Ltd.

The station design contract shortlist, revealed today as part of a string of announcements around the high-speed project, includes Arup, Mott MacDonald, WSP, Arcadis and a Jacobs/BuroHappold/Idom joint venture.

All bidders have been invited to tender for at least two station packages, with the contract itself being split into four packages overall.

The winners will work alongside HS2 Ltd to take forward the development work for new stations at Birmingham Curzon Street, Birmingham Interchange and London’s Old Oak Common, as well as expand the existing London Euston station – one of the biggest and busiest in the capital.

Mark Thurston, HS2 Ltd’s chief executive, said the announcement of the shortlist is a major step forward for the project and sets the scene for the next stage of the station design process.

“Together with the successful bidders, we will go on to deliver one of HS2’s most tangible legacies – three brand new stations and the long-term transformation of Euston,” he continued.

“All four projects represent exciting opportunities to showcase the very best in engineering and design while also delivering value for money. We are looking for partners to help us deliver stations which not only provide unparalleled levels of accessibility, ease and convenience for our passengers, but who will work with local communities to ensure we also help unlock wider regeneration, new jobs, homes and opportunities.”

The new stations are expected to create more than 170,000 new jobs as part of wider area development and will serve to connect tens of thousands of passengers every day.

Also today, HS2 Ltd published the names of the bidders in the race to win the Euston Master Development Partner contract. Whoever wins will be able to advise on, and later take forward, “sustainable mixed-up development opportunities”, such as new homes, offices and retail space above and around the expanded London Euston station.

As part of the contract, the winning bidder will have to work with HS2 Ltd, Network Rail, the station design contract winner and local authorities to secure a “unified masterplan” across up to 22 hectares of development space.

Westfield Europe Ltd, Euston Regeneration Partnership (led by Argent Related Services LLP), Canary Wharf Group, Land Securities Property Holding Ltd, and Lendlease Europe Holdings Ltd have all been shortlisted for the partner role.

David Biggs, Network Rail Property’s managing director, said the partner will be able to contribute to the creation of an “exciting and vibrant new district in the heart of London”, adding: “The opportunities are vast. A regenerated Euston Station not only affords us the ability to improve connectivity and exceed the expectations of those travelling by train.

“It also allows us the rare chance to create new space for homes and businesses, to craft a desirable destination for people to live, work and meet.

“The new station can be a catalyst for local regeneration and increase connection across the local community, bringing huge benefits both to the area itself as well as the country as a whole.”

All five contracts for station design and the Euston development partner will be awarded early next year.

But the shortlists themselves already come as part of an action-packed day for HS2 Ltd, which also announced the first winners of major phase 1 construction contracts – worth almost £7bn – and will soon announce details of phase 2’s final route.