HS2 has unveiled a three-strong shortlist of bidders to become the Phase 2a Design and Delivery Partner (DDP) for the new section of Britain’s high speed rail network, connecting the West Midlands and Crewe.

The £500m contract will see the successful bidder partner with HS2 Ltd to lead the design and delivery of the 36-mile Phase 2a route. 

The role will include management and co-ordination of key contracts for delivering the railway’s detailed design and construction, which includes 2 tunnels, 17 viaducts, 65 bridges, and track along the route.

The shortlisted bidders are:

• 2 Connect JV: AECOM Limited / Costain Integrated Services Limited;
• AMS JV: Atkins Limited / Mace Consult Limited / SYSTRA Limited;
• Jacobs UK Limited.

Building on the work done in Phase One, the delivery of Phase 2a will support opportunities for businesses and employment. HS2 Ltd recently raised to 6,500 the number of jobs supported by delivery of this latest section of the network, bringing the overall total across the project to more than 20,000 roles.

Andrew Cubitt, HS2 Ltd procurement and supply chain director, said: “The Phase 2a section of HS2 is a major investment in the region’s future low carbon transport infrastructure, that will provide an essential link between the West Midlands and northern England. This latest procurement will facilitate the benefits HS2 is set to bring to the region, before any trains have even started running, helping the UK to build back better from the pandemic.”

HS2 Ltd expects to announce the winning bidder in the summer of 2022.