The HS2 high-speed rail link has been described by the Government as “the most significant transport infrastructure project since the building of the motorways.” HS2 will carry passengers between London, the West Midlands, and Northern England at speeds of up to 225mph. It is considered integral to the UK’s future economic development, including the expansion of the Northern Powerhouse and concomitant regional diversification. Its current budget of £42.6bn makes it the most expensive rail scheme in history.
Last week saw the long-awaited launch of the initial ITTs for the first phase of the project. The tenders are for three packages of enabling works for the northern, southern, and central sections.
Enabling works valued at £900m
The enabling works, which are valued at £900m, include utility diversions, ecology surveys, archaeology, establishing site compounds, site clearance, demolition, ground remediation, watercourse activities, highways realignments, monitoring and instrumentation, structural reinforcements and drainage. The contracts will be awarded later this year, with work scheduled to begin in 2017.
Civils works valued at £11.85bn
The first phase of HS2 also includes seven packages of civils works. The civils works, which are valued at £11.85bn, include design services, enabling works, temporary works, construction works, tunnelling and spoil removal, ground stabilisation and treatment works, utilities diversions, structural engineering works, civil engineering works, access control and security services, and occupational health services.
Although tenderers may apply for more than one of the seven packages, HS2 Ltd ‘does not intend to allow’ any bidder to tender for more than four, and will only award each successful tenderer a maximum of two packages. This means that they will represent an excellent opportunity for contractors to compete for a share of the lucrative HS2 programme when these tenders are launched later this year.
PCSG has already supported one contractor that has successfully pre-qualified for all ten packages of enabling and civils works. We are now talking with other contractors about how we can best help them with HS2, offering each of them the full benefits of our extensive range of services.
PCSG provides bespoke bid management and writing services; behavioural assessments and holistic support in developing high-performing individuals and teams; the production of large and complex Integrated Management Systems (IMS); and assistance with all areas of project mobilisation.
“HS2 is an extremely important project for both the UK and its construction industry”
PCSG Director Simon Cunnington, in welcoming the launch of the first tenders, recognised the value of HS2’s long-term impact: “HS2 is an extremely important project for both the UK and its construction industry. PCSG looks forward to supporting our clients in winning and delivering work throughout the programme of this landmark scheme.”