High Speed 2 Ltd (HS2) has released its tender for the contract to construct their Interchange Station, a key transport link in the project.
Companies are being invited to bid for the £370 million contract for the station based in the Midlands.
The new station has already earned the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘Outstanding' certification, showing even at the design stage, the station is in the UK's top 1% of most efficient buildings.
Eco-friendly measures include utilising natural light, collecting and using rainwater and air source heat pumps to name a few.
There are many benefits the new station will bring, such as:
- Be within a 45-minute journey of 1.3 million people
- Provide over 1,000 jobs in the construction phase
- A big boost to the local and UK economy – thousands of jobs and houses likely to be created following completion, in line with the Government's Plan for Jobs
- 175,000 seats available daily – with five trains passing an hour
- Located in between the M42, A45 and A452
Later on in 2021 HS2 will announce the shortlist of applicants, with the final decision to be announced in 2022.
HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “HS2's Interchange Station will be one of the best-connected places in the UK, bringing together rail, road and air transport links and today's milestone takes us one step closer to delivering a new, modern, zero-carbon station.
“This investment in the West Midlands will support 1,000 jobs, create new jobs and businesses, and regenerate the region as we build back better.”
HS2's Stations Director Matthew Botelle said: “The start of the search for our construction contractor is a significant step in the journey to build HS2's Interchange Station in the Midlands. We've worked closely with our multi-disciplinary design team Arup to design the station to be net zero in operation, which is a key part of our strategy to reduce carbon and build the most sustainable railway in the world.
“The wider regeneration around Interchange Station is an even bigger prize, with thousands of jobs, new homes and commercial development set to transform the economic potential for people and businesses in the region.”
Leader of Solihull Council Councillor Ian Courts said: “Today's announcement is a huge step towards realising the vision we created for the UK Central Hub. HS2 and the interchange station will supercharge the economy of Solihull and the wider region, bringing jobs, homes and opportunities and it is vital that we do our utmost to capture its benefits.
“This is a fantastic project for the UK construction industry and we look forward to continuing to work closely with HS2 and its contractors to ensure the interchange station supports our ambitions for the UK Central Hub.”
Where Next?
RAILADVENT NEWS
The latest railway news
RailAdvent Plus
Discounts, videos, pictures and more!
FREE NEWSLETTERS
Signup to our daily and weekly newsletters
RAILADVENT SHOP
Railway Prints, DVD's / Blu-Ray's, books and more
LOCOSTOP COMMUNITY
Come and share your railway pictures
UK STEAM INFO
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
HS2
Visit their website
