HS2 Ltd has revealed the shortlist of bidders in the running to build its network control centre and rolling stock maintenance depot in Washwood Heath
The following bidders will be invited to tender:
- GÜLERMAK AĞIR SAN. İNŞAAT VE TAAH. A.Ş & Gulermak Sp z o.o.
- VINCI Construction UK Limited (t/a Taylor Woodrow) & Keltbray Limited
- VolkerFitzpatrick Ltd & VolkerRail Ltd
The contract – worth an estimated £275m – will see the winning bidder work with HS2 Ltd to transform the 30-hectare brownfield site into the nerve centre of the HS2 network.
The Washwood Heath train depot and network control centre will create around 500 long-term jobs in the area.
HS2’s fleet of high-speed trains will be serviced and maintained, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from the Washwood Heath site.
The Washwood Heath depot will include a rolling stock maintenance building, carriage wash, automatic vehicle inspection building and 14 sidings where trains can be stored overnight.
Also on the same site will be the network integrated control centre, the centre of the network’s signalling and control systems as well as office buildings for cleaners and drivers.
‘A major boost for the local community’
HS2 Ltd’s procurement and supply chain director, Andrew Cubitt, said: “HS2 will transform rail travel across the UK – as a brand new North-South railway offering passengers fast, reliable, low carbon journeys between many of Britain’s largest cities.
“Washwood Heath will be at the heart of the operation – servicing and maintaining the trains as well as controlling the operations. The site will also be a major boost for the local community, with around 500 long term jobs set to be created at the site and extra land freed up for development.
“That’s why it’s great to see such a strong shortlist for the design and construction.”
Contracts are expected to be awarded in 2023.