HS2 confirms contractor for Birmingham control centre

HS2 has appointed Taylor Woodrow Infrastructure and Aureos Rail to build the high-speed railway’s control centre and rolling stock depot at Washwood Heath in Birmingham.

The contract,worth around £856 million, will see the companies work with HS2 to develop the disused 70-hectare site of the former LDV and Metro-Cammell works into a logistics hub supporting thousands of jobs.

The new depot will cover around 30-hectares and include a state-of-the-art Rolling Stock Maintenance Building, Carriage Wash, Automatic Vehicle Inspection Building and sidings where high-speed trains can be stored overnight as well as a test track.

Also on the same site will be the Network Integrated Control Centre (NICC), where staff will manage the dispatch of trains, communicate with drivers and ensure that services run smoothly.

Separate buildings will house offices and facilities for cleaners and drivers. The remaining area will be released for commercial development and used to create new green spaces and wildlife habitat.

Lord Hendy, Rail Minister, said: “Washwood Heath and the wider HS2 programme will create jobs across the West Midlands – from the construction teams transforming this former industrial site, to the skilled workforce who will operate this state-of-the-art facility for decades to come. Together, they will help deliver faster, more reliable rail journeys across the UK.

“HS2 continues to reach major milestones as we work to get the project back on track and unlock its full potential to drive economic growth, jobs and homes across the country.”

Steve Cox, HS2 Area Director, said: “Once complete, HS2 will transform journeys between Britain’s two largest cities, freeing up space on the existing West Coast Main Line for more freight and local services.

“The new depot and control centre at Washwood Heath will be at the heart of our day-to-day operation and play a crucial role in the testing and commissioning of the railway.

“Taylor Woodrow and Aureos have a great track record delivering complex infrastructure projects and I look forward to working with them over the coming years.”