HS2 appoints Phase I Engineering Delivery Partner 30 Mar 2016

HS2 Ltd, the delivery arm of the UK Government’s high speed rail program, appoints a team comprising CH2M, Atkins and SENER of Spain as its Phase I Engineering Delivery Partner.

The 10-year contract, worth between £250–350 million, will be tasked with driving long term efficiency across the design-build process, focusing on providing expert engineering and construction management support as well as assisting with preparation for the procurement of the main civils contracts for the 240km-long London to Birmingham stage of the route. Contractor shortlists for the seven major civils contracts along the Phase I route – including more than 36km of TBM excavated twin-running tunnels – were announced last week (23 March).

The contract covers the whole of Phase I construction, with the team focusing on a number of key functions, including:

• Supporting preparation for, and procurement of, the main civils contracts and subsequent work packages, including stations and railway systems;
• Managing support of the design stage and construction stages of the works;
• Providing project engineering and construction management;
• Providing technical assurance of design

HS2 Ltd Managing Director, Construction, Jim Crawford, said: “Today’s contract award marks an important milestone as we continue to move towards the start of construction in 2017. It is vital that we constantly challenge our suppliers to ensure we deliver long-term value for money for the taxpayer as well as a world-class railway for all our passengers, stakeholders and communities along the line.”

Philip Hoare, Atkins Managing Director, Transportation UK and Europe, said: “Along with our JV 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.”

SENER has extensive Spanish high speed rail delivery experience

He added: “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, upskill and inspire a new generation of rail professionals.”

Spanish-based high speed rail engineering specialist SENER is selected for its wide-ranging experience of delivering more than 15,000km of rail infrastructure in Spain, Europe, and beyond.

In the high speed rail sector in particular, SENER is involved in key projects around the world including the California High Speed Rail network, the International High Speed Rail connection between Spain and France (Figueras–Perpignan), most of the high speed rail lines developed in Spain during the last 20 years, the Portuguese high speed rail network, and the rail hubs to future HSR nodes of Wrocław, Poznań and Łódź in Poland.

“This is definitely one of the most relevant rail projects worldwide and SENER is very proud to be part of it,” said SENER Railways Manager, Jesús Planchuelo.