A multinational joint venture has been named the engineering delivery partner for the UK’s HS2 high-speed rail project.
It was announced yesterday, 22 March, that Atkins, the UK’s largest multidisciplinary consultant, would partner with CH2M of the US and Spain’s SENER to fulfil the contract, which is expected to run for 10 years and to have a value of between $350m and $500m.
The scope of the deal may run up to the commissioning of the railway, and will cover the civils, stations, planning and environment, and railway systems aspects of Phase 1 of the project, which consists of a 230km link between London and Birmingham.
These include:
- The tendering of the main work
- Design management, assurance and integration
- Technical approvals and BIM compliance
- Programme, construction and contract management
- Environmental management
- Planning consents
- Stakeholder management and public consultation
- Railway systems and interfaces.
Philip Hoare, Atkins’ managing director of transportation for the UK and Europe, said: "Along with our joint-venture partners CH2M and SENER we have the management, technical engineering and international expertise to support the delivery of a high speed railway fit for the future.
"We will work collaboratively with HS2 Ltd and the wider supply chain to help deliver a high speed railway that Great Britain can be proud of.
"I’m passionate about creating opportunities for people to join our sector and working with Birmingham University and the National College for High Speed Rail, we will help train, up-skill and inspire a new generation of rail professionals."
CH2M has been working with HS2 since 2012 as Phase 1 development partner. Commenting on the contract win, James Rowntree, CH2M’s managing director of transportation, Europe, said: "CH2M looks forward to building on its close relationship with HS2 Ltd from its current role as Phase One Development Partner, and working alongside Atkins and SENER in driving this programme forward."
SENER has previously worked on the high-speed link between Spain and France, and is presently involved in the Californian project. Jesus Planchuelo, the company’s director of railways, said: "This is undoubtedly one of the most important railway projects in the world and be part of it, together with our partners CH2M and Atkins, is a source of great pride for SENER great pride."
The commission is expected to commence next month.
The parliamentary bill paving the way for the project will shortly receive its third and final reading in the House of Commons. If this is successful, work on site is expected to begin next year.
Image: The remodelling of Manchester Piccadilly: a terminus for Phase 2 of the scheme (HS2)
