HS2, the company responsible for the design, engineering and construction of the UK’s new high-speed rail network has announced dates and locations for regional supply chain road shows this year.

Starting in May, HS2 will visit 11 regions across the UK to explain the types of work packages that will be available and to advise firms on how to get in the best position to bid for contracts with HS2.

High Speed 2 is a new railway line between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, carrying 400m-long trains operating at speeds of up to 400kph.

The new high-speed rail network will include the construction of around 70 viaducts and 320 bridges.

Phase one of construction is a line between London and West Midlands. It will be followed by a v-shaped second phase taking services from West Midlands to Manchester and Leeds.

Construction work on the first phase is set to begin in 2017, reach Birmingham by 2026, Crewe by 2027 and be completed in 2033.

The UK’S Department for Transport estimate the cost to be around US$64, although a study by the Institute of Economic Affairs has suggested a total cost of US$120 billion.

The latest road shows build on similar events last year that were attended by around 250 companies. The dates and locations for the 2016 road shows are:

  • Liverpool - Merseyside Maritime Museum, Tuesday 10 May, 12 noon - 4pm.
  • Leicester - King Power Stadium, Wednesday 11 May, 8.30am - 1.30pm.
  • Milton Keynes - Doubletree by Hilton hotel, Thursday 12 May, 8.30am - 1.30pm.
  • Leeds - Carriageworks Theatre, Wednesday 18 May, 8.30am - 1.30pm.
  • Gateshead - Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, Thursday 19 May, 8.30am - 1.30pm.
  • North Wales, Ewloe - Village Hotel, Chester St Davids, Tuesday 28 June, 12 noon - 4pm.
  • Bristol - Bristol Science Centre, Thursday 30 June, 8.30am - 1.30pm.
  • Cambridge - Wellcome Genome Campus Conference Centre, Tuesday 5 July, 8.30am - 1.30pm.
  • London - venue to be confirmed, Wednesday 6 July, 8.30am - 1.30pm.
  • Coventry - the Manufacturing Technology Centre , Thursday 7th July, 8.30am - 1.30pm.
  • Aberdeen - September (date and venue to be confirmed).

More information on the roadshows and details of how to register can be found here: https://www.hs2roadshow2016.co.uk. Companies can obtain more information regarding HS2’s procurement process via SCC@hs2.org.uk.

In March 2016 HS2 published a shortlist of companies for a work package valued between US$10 and US$16 billion of civil engineering work between London and Crewe.

Civil engineering contracts covering the 225km from London to Birmingham are expected to be signed in 2017 with the start of work on site one year later.

The following bidders have been shortlisted for at least one package each:

  • Align Joint Venture (Bouygues, Volkerfitzpatrick, Sir Robert McAlpine)
  • ASL (Acciona Infraestructuras, John Sisk & Son, Lagan)
  • BBV (Balfour Beatty, Vinci Bemo)
  • Catalyst (Bechtel)
  • CEK (Carillion, Eiffage, Kier)
  • Fusion (Morgan Sindall, BAM Nuttall, Ferrovial Agroman)
  • LFM (Laing O’Rourke, FCC Construccion, J Murphy and Sons)
  • Momentum Infrastructure (Dragados, Hochtief, Gallifordtry)
  • SCS (Skanska, Costain, Strabag)

Firms that deliver the best results in terms of value and efficiency will be eligible to bid for work on an additional 40 miles between Birmingham and Crewe, due to open in 2027.

In a further milestone for the wider project, HS2 has also published details of engineering design work worth up to US$750 million for developing the detailed plans for phase two, including Crewe to Manchester and Birmingham to Leeds, ahead of a formal route decision on phase two, expected in the Autumn.

Applicants are expected to be shortlisted in the summer with the successful bidders appointed once the route has been announced.