HS2 Ltd awards construction contract for Birmingham Curzon Street station

Credit: HS2 Ltd - Concept image of HS2's Birmingham Curzon Street station.

HS2 Ltd has confirmed that a team made up of Mace and Dragados will build Birmingham’s new city centre high-speed railway station as a result of a deal that is set to further boost the West Midlands economy. The deal, which is worth up to £570 million, will see Mace Dragados work with HS2 Ltd in two stages to finalise the detailed design and then build the landmark station.

The station itself will be net zero carbon in operation and adopt the latest eco-friendly design and sustainable technologies, including capturing rainwater and utilising sustainable power generation, with over 2,800m² of solar panels located on platform canopies. It is designed to meet a ‘BREEAM excellent’ standard, which is an industry-recognised standard for buildings that reduce energy usage and materials waste and minimise their impact on the natural environment.

Mace and Dragados have a strong track record in delivering some of the world’s most complex and exciting infrastructure projects, including the refurbishment of Birmingham New Street station, Battersea Power Station (phase 2) and work on delivering the Spanish high-speed rail network, including the major new Madrid Atocha and Barcelona Sants stations. They are also working together in a separate joint venture to deliver HS2’s London terminus at Euston.

HS2 Ltd’s Chief Executive, Mark Thurston, said: “Birmingham Curzon Street is right at the heart of the HS2 project, providing a fantastic terminus for trains running right into the heart of the city centre.  The station will play a vital role in the long-term economic future of the West Midlands, creating hundreds of jobs during construction and boosting the region after the pandemic. Mace and Dragados have some incredible experience in delivering some of the world’s most challenging and exciting infrastructure projects, and I look forward to welcoming them to the team.”

The HS2 Minister, Andrew Stephenson, said: “This is a huge moment for Birmingham and for HS2. The brand new, world class HS2 station at Birmingham Curzon Street will place the city at the beating heart of the new HS2 network. It marks a major investment in Birmingham’s future as we build back better from COVID-19 – breathing new life into the city centre, supporting hundreds of new skilled jobs and helping to forge better connections across the whole country.”

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “HS2 is at the heart of my plans to create 100,000 jobs in just two years to help the West Midlands to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, and so I am absolutely thrilled by today’s news. Not only is this a major shot in the arm for our region’s construction sector that was performing so well pre-COVID-19, but the building of Curzon Street is also set to create hundreds of jobs. That’s local jobs for local people at such a difficult time, and I will ensure that we continue to run construction training courses so that residents can get the skills that they need to take on these new roles. I’m also excited to see the commitment from HS2 Ltd that the station will be net-zero, helping the West Midlands in its battle against the climate emergency and in our aim to become carbon neutral by 2041.”

HS2 worked with WSP and Grimshaw Architects LLP on the design for Curzon Street, which is inspired by the great arched roofs built by the Victorian railway pioneers. The design takes that inspiration into the 21st century, ensuring accessibility and a focus on the open space and landscaping around it.

Passengers will also be to access up to nine high-speed trains an hour travelling north and south, and the Midland Metro – which runs alongside and underneath the station. Accessible pedestrian routes will connect to local bus services, Sprint rapid transit bus services and local rail services from the neighbouring Moor Street station. Cycle parking has also been incorporated, providing space for more than 550 bicycles.

Significant progress has already been made on site at Curzon Street. Site clearance is now complete and a massive archaeological programme, involving 70 archaeologists, has unearthed the world’s oldest railway roundhouse.