HS2 appoints first partners

HS2 – the body overseeing the next phase of the UK’s high speed rail project – has announced the proposed appointment of CH2M Hill as its development partner for the next phase of engineering, design and environmental work on the line. This follows the recent go-ahead given to the scheme by the UK government, despite fierce opposition from lobby groups.

The contract will create work for a team of around 80 CH2M employees – mostly Halcrow project management and engineering specialists. Hundreds more jobs are expected to be created in February when a professional services contract is awarded. However, the award cannot be confirmed before February 3, as EU law requires a ten-day 'standstill' period to allow unsuccessful bidders to challenge the position

HS2 chief executive Alison Munro said: “Now that HS2 is up and running, it’s time to bring new people on board and I’m very pleased to welcome CH2M Hill as our development partner for the next phase of this exciting project - we will now be able to move forward without delay.”
Ms Munroe continued: “The appointment means that we will have world class project managers and technical experts working alongside us to deliver the design, engineering and environmental work necessary for the hybrid bill. They will bring, in particular, their highly regarded experience of working on HS1 and Crossrail, two major UK infrastructure projects that have direct relevance to our work.”

The US$50 billion first phase of HS2 will provide a high speed connection between London and Birmingham and will comprise around 36km of tunnels; it is expected to be operational by 2026. A further Y-shaped extension to Manchester and Leeds is also planned to be in use by 2033.

Global engineering and design firm CH2M Hill acquired UK-based infrastructure consultant Halcrow in November for US$194 million.