High Speed Rail 2, the company behind the proposed London-Birmingham high-speed rail link, is looking for consultants with a contract notice worth up to £350 million, Construction News reported.
Architects, engineers and urban planners among those sought to work on the £32bn rail scheme, Building reported. The controversial proposals could eventually see the rail link extended to Manchester and Scotland.
Government client High Speed 2 Ltd is putting together a framework agreement covering the professional disciplines, which also include technical testing and analysis services. It will be used to work up designs for HS2 if the scheme moves forward.
Transport secretary Philip Hammond is considering the findings of the consultation into the rail link between London, the midlands and the north of England and is expected to make a decision on how to proceed with the proposed high speed route this year.
If the minister decides to approve the project the next stage would be the introduction of a hybrid bill into Parliament by autumn next year, which would seek to obtain Royal Assent by 2015.
HS2 Ltd is currently also seeking a development partner to provide support for the Hybrid Bill and the manage the parliamentary process.
HS2 is offering a framework agreement for the professional services which is split into four clear disciplines. These include civil engineering and structural design services at a cost of £160-£200m; railway systems design services at a cost of £25-45m; environmental services at a cost of £50-£75m and land referencing services at a cost of £15m-£30m.
HS2 is a pipe dream.
The Country is Bankrupt and untill we stop fighting Wars for “other Countries”and get the Economy growing we just cannoy afford a Prorject that no one really wants.
Sort out the existing Railway system first.