Nine shortlisted for phase one HS2 engineering works

HS2 has shortlisted nine consortia to bid for civil engineering packages worth a total of £7.1bn – £11.8bn between London and Crewe. Phase one covers the 140-mile stretch between London and Birmingham.

The shortlisted bidders will be invited to bid for a maximum of four packages each and it’s expected most will chase for three or four although Betchel, which is bidding alone, will just go for one - the £600m-£900m Brackley to Long Itchington Wood Green Tunnel South Portal (lot c3).

All the packages are two-part design and build contracts, which will encourage innovation and flexibility in construction and design. Awards for each lot will be made in 2017 for start on site the following year.

Firms that deliver the best results in terms of value and efficiency will be eligible to bid for work on the final 40 miles between Birmingham and Crewe, which is due to open in 2027.

HS2 Chief Executive Simon Kirby said: “Collaboration will be at the heart of everything we do.

“Together with our suppliers, we will create these opportunities while continuing to push for the best value and long term efficiency that will be essential to delivering this transformational project on time and on budget.”

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