Firms To Bid For HS2 Station Job

The latest big contract for HS2 is up for grabs, as construction firms vie for the job of building the Solihull Interchange station.

Worth around £370 million, the project will support around 1,000 construction jobs, so there will be plenty of reasons for workers to stock up on trade workwear.

The new station will be designed to link up the line with other public transport in Solihull, including the planned new Midlands Metro tram line that will connect the station with Birmingham International Station and the National Exhibition Centre, as well as the east of the city.

HS2 minister Andrew Stephenson said: “HS2’s Interchange Station will be one of the best-connected places in the UK, bringing together rail, road and air transport links.”

Key features include its achievement of being the first railway station in the world to achieve the BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ certification status at the design stage. HS2 notes that this designation puts it in the top one per cent of eco-friendly buildings.

Its features will include a roof designed to capture and recycle rainwater, maximised natural light, air source heat pumps and LED lighting.

Another key element of the station will be its intended impact on the local economy and townscape in Solihull.  The development will partner with an Urban Growth company to create 3,000 new homes and 70,000 sq m of commercial space in the vicinity of the station. This will in turn be part of the ‘central hub’ area with 5,000 new homes, 650,000 sq ft of workspace and 70,000 new jobs.

HS2 hopes to draw up a shortlist f three possible contractors, with the winner being chosen next year and construction beginning in 2024.

The project is already create construction jobs in the area, with Balfour Beatty working with Birmingham City University to enable students to take up construction roles associated with HS2 when they graduate.