微密圈

A decision on the winner of the last major building project yet to be awarded on the first phase of HS2 has slipped again.

The 拢480m scheme at Washwood Heath in Birmingham has been hit by a series of hold-ups since it came out more than five years ago. It was first advertised via a PIN notice in January 2020 and then given a 拢250m price tag.

Procurement was already delayed by three months in 2023 after bidders were given an 11 week extension with tenders eventually going back in April that year.

The job, which will serve as both the railway鈥檚 network control centre and its rolling stock maintenance depot once the line opens, had then been due to be awarded last year but this was then pushed back into spring 2025.

微密圈 now understands a decision will be made early next year 鈥� six years after it was first advertised.

The latest delay is believed to be do with the review of HS2鈥檚 costs being carried out by chief executive Mark Wild under his 鈥渞eset鈥� of the project. HS2 has been contacted for comment.

Turkish contractor G眉lermak was the surprise name on the original three-strong shortlist for the job but dropped out of the running in 2023 to leave a pairing of Vinci and Keltbray Infrastructure Services 鈥� now renamed Aureos after its sale last year to private equity 鈥� up against a team featuring VolkerFitzpatrick and VolkerRail.

Designed by local architect Glenn Howells, the centre is expected to employ more than 550 people.

The 30ha scheme was given the green light by the city council at the start of last year with the depot including a rolling stock maintenance building, carriage wash, automatic vehicle inspection building and sidings where trains can be stored overnight.

Also on the same site will be the Network Integrated Control Centre, the hub of the network鈥檚 signalling and control systems as well as office buildings for cleaners and drivers.

A team from HS2鈥檚 enabling works contractor LM, a pairing of Laing O鈥橰ourke and Murphy, completed the demolition of the buildings on the site in 2020. The Washwood Heath complex was formerly home to the Metro-Cammell railway works, which closed in 2004.