Kier Construction Ltd have won a contract for the Phase 2a of HS2, a major plan to connect the North to the West Midlands. The project is set to join the existing rail network to create direct routes to destinations such as Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Carlisle and Glasgow.
The programme is already supporting more than 16,000 jobs and over 500 apprenticeships. It is set to transform transport links between Britain’s major cities, free up space and the rail network for more freight and local services, and support the UK’s transition to net zero carbon emissions.
Otherwise known as ‘Enabling Civil Works – Package 2’ (ECW2), the £50m programme will be awarded in 2 segments through the government’s existing Construction Works and Associated services framework.
The project will involve several early works, designed to minimise disruption during the main building stage. Including the survey, these consist of major highway developments, design and construction works for a new bridge on the M6, and will also involve associated utility diversions, on top of a range of environmental and other surveys along the 36 miles stretch of route.
Group Managing Director at Kier Infrastructure, Mark Pengelly, “Being appointed to deliver this early works package allows us to build on our existing relationship with HS2 and implement lessons learned from Phase 1. We already deliver a range of projects in the area and our work on Phase 1a will provide increased employment opportunities for both local people and our local supply chain partners.”
HS2 Ltd.’s Procurement and Supply Chain Director, Andrew Cubitt, said “Kier will play a vital role in delivering the next stage of Britain’s new high-speed railway, taking the route north from Birmingham to Crewe and I’m really pleased to welcome them to the team.”
“HS2’s Phase 2a represents a massive opportunity for businesses in the north of England and across the UK in the short term, and in the longer term it will speed up journeys for trains bound for places like Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and the North West, and release much-needed extra capacity on the existing mainline."
Kier is delivering civil engineering works across an 80km section of the new high speed rail link between the Chiltern Tunnel and Long Itchington Wood, as part of the EKFB (Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial and BAM) joint venture. The works include 6.9km of green tunnels, 15 viaducts, 22km of road diversions, 81 bridges and around 30 million cubic metres of excavation.
