Engineering news
The approval of main construction works follows the prime minister’s decision to go ahead with the project earlier this year despite spiralling costs. The high-speed rail line between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds could cost more than £100bn, and the first trains are not expected until 2028-31.
Joint venture companies will start building in line with Public Health England advice amid the coronavirus pandemic, to protect workers and the public.
The notice to proceed provides a “vote of confidence” in construction companies and the wider supply chain, the government said.
“While the government’s top priority is rightly to combat the spread of coronavirus, protect the NHS and save lives, we cannot delay work on our long-term plan to level-up the country,” said HS2 minister Andrew Stephenson.
“Following the decision earlier this year to proceed with the project, this next step provides thousands of construction workers and businesses across the country with certainty at a time when they need it, and means that work can truly begin on delivering this transformational project.”
Four confirmed ‘work packages’ cover the detailed design and construction of HS2’s phase one, between London and Birmingham. The joint ventures, originally awarded contracts by HS2 Ltd in 2017, include companies such as Skanska Construction, Sir Robert McAlpine and Balfour Beatty.
Today’s announcement was welcomed by the High Speed Rail Group, which represents companies with experience and interest in high speed rail.
“At a time when the country is facing such enormous challenges, this is very welcome news,” said director Will Roberts. “We must continue to look to the long-term, and there is no project which will do more to transform the long-term prospects of ‘UK PLC’ than HS2. It will also be vital to tackling the climate emergency, with a new high-capacity, fully electrified railway essential to deliver modal shift away from aviation and car travel.
“A small army of 11,000 people is already working to make HS2 a reality – and that number will rise to 15,000 this year and 30,000 in the longer-term, including 2,000 apprentices. This team, coming from hundreds of different companies all over the UK, will work night and day to make the vision of HS2 a reality.”
The much delayed and over budget railway has faced legal challenges and protest since its announcement a decade ago, with concerns about the huge cost and environmental damage. Videos posted on Twitter this week appear to show the eviction of anti-HS2 protestors from woodland near the route.
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