Bechtel begins legal action against HS2 over Old Oak Common award

Bechtel has launched legal action against HS2 after missing out on the £1.1bn contract to build Old Oak Common station.

The US contractor, which missed out on the deal last month, filed a part seven claim against High Speed Two Limited 10 days ago.

The firm is contesting the decision which saw a joint venture made up of Balfour Beatty and Vinci come out victorious.

Bids from a Bam Nuttall/Ferrovial team and a joint venture made up of Mace and Dragados were also overlooked.

Bechtel pulled out of the bidding last year for the Euston Station, won by the Mace/Dragados team, terminal to focus its efforts on Old Oak Common.

Bechtel, which is being represented by London-based law firm Hogan Lovells International, declined to comment, while a HS2 spokesperson said the company could not comment on legal matters.

The firm has previously benefited from potential legal action on the £56bn project, having secured the role of development partner in April 2017 for the second phase of the high-speed rail line after Mace threatened legal action over that contract award.

It took over the £170m role initially awarded to US consultant CH2M in February that year, after third placed losing bidder Mace threatened legal action over that contract award.

CH2M eventually pulled its bid after Mace raised concerns about possible conflicts of interest after HS2 appointed former CH2M European managing director Mark Thurston as its new chief executive in March 2017.