Contractors circle prized £250m HS2 Birmingham depot job

Contractors are eyeing a high-profile scheme to build HS2’s maintenance depot and control centre in Birmingham.

HS2 has published a prior information notice for the £247m job at Washwood Heath, which is expected to be procured as a single contract.

Demolition at the site which has been earmarked for HS2’s train maintenance depot in Birmingham began last February.

A joint venture made up of Laing O’Rourke and Murphy, alongside Nottingham-based specialist Total Reclaims Demolition, is responsible for the demolition at the site.

Formerly known as the Washwood Heath Railway Works, the 110,000m² site was last used by train maker Alstom.

It is the preferred location for HS2’s future depot because it is centrally located in relation to the completed HS2 network, which will be extended to Leeds and Manchester.

HS2 trains will be maintained at Washwood Heath and activities at the facility will include cleaning, servicing and routine repairs of the new high-speed fleet.

It will be HS2’s only rolling stock maintenance depot for phases one and 2a of the new network.

Firms have until 17 January to register their interest in attending the event, details of which have not yet been disclosed.