Over 1,000 new jobs to be created in building HS2’s landmark Birmingham station

HS2 Ltd and HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson MP have confirmed that over 1,000 jobs – including an estimated 100 new entrant roles and 100 new apprenticeship positions and Restart scheme opportunities for unemployed people – will be created by the joint venture that will build HS2’s landmark station in the centre of Birmingham, helping the UK to Build Back Better after the pandemic.

Following the recent visit to HS2’s Birmingham Curzon Street Station by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, HS2 Ltd and Mace Dragados have now formally signed the station contract, signalling the start of a project that will bring significant jobs and skills opportunities for people in the West Midlands region.

The signing event took place during a unique Cleaner Construction Showcase held at the Birmingham Curzon Street Station site by HS2’s early works contractor LMJV (Laing O’Rourke and J. Murphy & Sons Joint Venture), demonstrating how emission-free machinery will change the future of the construction industry.

With the city soon to introduce a Clean Air Zone, the innovations on show – including the world’s first battery-powered crawler crane, eco-hybrid trucks, an electric sweeper, a generator powered by hydrogenated vegetable oil, solar-powered generators, recycled curbing and sustainable asphalt – will help cut carbon emissions on the station site as well as other HS2 sites between London and Birmingham.

HS2’s Senior Project Manager for Curzon Street Station, Nicola Henderson-Reid, said: “It’s fantastic to formally sign this contract, which will deliver over a thousand jobs and create numerous opportunities for local businesses to be part of the HS2 supply chain. As we’ve seen today, not only is HS2 playing a critical role creating jobs and contracts, the project is also committed to building the new railway in the most sustainable way possible. The green technology on show in Birmingham today places HS2 at the forefront of the UK ambition to reduce carbon emissions in the construction industry.”

Mace Dragados has confirmed that a whole range of jobs will be supported, including roles in environmental management, community engagement and health, safety and wellbeing roles, as well as a number of more traditional construction roles. The contract also opens up opportunities for supply chain companies in the region, with 40 per cent of project spend set to go towards SMEs.

Jason Millett, Mace Group Board Director, representing the Mace Dragados Joint Venture, said: “On behalf of both Dragados and Mace, I am honoured that HS2 have chosen us to build the new station at Curzon Street. This is the kind of opportunity that comes along once in a generation – to deliver a transformational project that will leave a huge legacy for the UK, Birmingham and the West Midlands. We are extremely proud and delighted to have been selected for such an important role, and we look forward to working with HS2 and stakeholders to bring their ambitious vision to life.”

A consortium has been working on the design of the station for the last three years, including lead consultant WSP’s team of 160 people based at their office in Birmingham’s Mailbox, Grimshaw as building architect, and Grants Associates as landscape and public realm lead. With Mace Dragados now on board, the detailed design of the station will be finalised before construction begins and the station takes shape over the next few years.

At the heart of the high speed network, the new HS2 station in Birmingham has been designed to allow for future improvements to the public space to ensure inclusive, seamless transport connections for local people, provide opportunities for retail and commercial development, and help drive local investment and regeneration.

The station is set to reduce carbon emissions by 55 per cent, will achieve net-zero carbon emissions from regulated energy consumption and use a range of technologies to generate energy from renewable sources. The design has achieved the BREEAM Excellent rating, which is an industry recognised standard for buildings that reduce energy usage and materials waste, and minimise impact on the natural environment.