HS2 to rethink Curzon St procurement after lack of interest

How Curzon St station is expected to look when complete

HS2 has been forced to terminate the procurement of a design and build contractor for the £435m Birmingham Curzon Street station because of a lack of interest from contractors.

HS2 cited a “lower-than-anticipated market appetite” for the original procurement, with contractors thought to be unhappy about the amount of risk they were required to take on in the original procurement.

• Contractors picked for Euston and Old Oak HS2 stations

HS2 has announced that it will now revise its approach to the procurement of the station and is holding an industry day on 19 July at BCU Birmingham.

During the industry day, HS2 will set out its revised approach, designed reduce risk and consequently attract more bidders.

The news came as MPs warned earlier this week that the HS2 project – whose official budget stands at £55.7bn – could end up costing in excess of £100bn. Leading a debate in Parliament, former Commons leader said: "I am alarmed at just how much the business case for HS2 has changed since the project was initially proposed."

She added: "There are concerns, as honourable members have already set out, that have been raised by industry experts and former whistle blowers from the company, that the total cost for HS2 may very well be in excess of £100 billion."

Transport minister Nusrat Ghani has insisted that the £55.7bn budget is still accurate.