UK firm has formed a joint venture with Spanish consultancy Ineco to bid for the high speed rail scheme

Capita Symonds has formed a joint venture with Spanish firm Ineco to bid for contracts on the government’s High Speed 2 project.

The move follows the recent announcement by transport secretary Philip Hammond signalling the start of the procurement process for the £32bn scheme.

The proposed high speed rail line will run between London, the Midlands and the North of England.

Spanish engineering consultancy Ineco was responsible for the development of the Madrid-Seville and the Madrid-Barcelona high speed rail lines. Capita Symonds designed the Royal Oak and Woolwich and Plumstead portals on the Crossrail scheme.

Tim Healey, director of civil engineering at Capita Symonds said: “I am delighted that we are able to build on our 30 years of experience in the rail industry and most recently our successful design delivery for London’s Crossrail schemes. Our links with Ineco will further develop our offer to provide High Speed 2 with a team that has successfully delivered the most extensive high speed rail network in Europe at the lowest cost per route kilometre in anywhere in the world.”

Jose Anguita, international director of Ineco, said: “We look forward to sharing with the UK our experience of successfully delivering high performing high speed rail projects throughout Spain.”