By lyndamyer
The winner company for delivering a main program of highways and utility work on phase 2a of the High Speed 2 (HS2) project, which is going to take the new high speed railway north of the West Midlands, is Kier Construction.
The intended program, which is called as ‘Enabling Civils Works – Package 2’ (ECW2) and worth £50M, is being awarded in two stages.
Implementing major highways works and associated utility diversions and also a range of environmental and other surveys along the 58km stretch of route, are some tasks of the ECW2 program, while the determined time for awarding second stage of the work is next year.
The works are part of HS2’s phase 2a, which will carry trains bound for destinations such as Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and the north west. This part of the line will run from the northern end of phase one at Fradley in the West Midlands to Crewe in Cheshire.
Kier Infrastructure group managing director Mark Pengelly said: “Being appointed to deliver this early works package allows us to build on our existing relationship with HS2 Ltd and implement lessons learned from phase one.”
He added: “We already deliver a range of projects in the area and our work on phase 2a will provide increased employment opportunities for both local people and our local supply chain partners.”
The contract granted for ECW2 as soon as the commence of procurement for the design and delivery partner for Phase 2a, which was released previous month and the award of the early environmental works contract to Balfour Beatty earlier this year.
“Kier will play a vital role in delivering the next stage of Britain’s new high speed railway, taking the route north from Birmingham to Crewe, and I’m really pleased to welcome them to the team,” said, Andrew Cubitt, HS2 Ltd procurement and supply chain director.
He also asserted: “HS2’s phase 2a represents a massive opportunity for businesses in the north of England and across the UK in the short term, and in the longer term it will speed up journeys for trains bound for places like Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and the North West, and release much-needed extra capacity on the existing mainline.”
The UK Government’s available Crown Commercial Services Construction Works and Associated Services framework, have awarded the ECW2 package.
