Mayor Highlights HS2 Jobs Boost

HS2 Ltd has confirmed that a team made up from Mace and Dragados are to build Birmingham’s new city centre high speed railway station, in a deal which is set to further boost the West Midlands economy.

The new deal is worth up to £570 million and will see Mace Dragados JV working with HS2 Ltd in two stages to finalise the detailed design and build of the landmark Curzon Street station.

Curzon Street station is to be net carbon neutral in operation and will 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.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, has welcomed the announcement and the major role HS2 is to play in the regional recovery of the West Midlands after the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: “HS2 is at the heart of my plans to create 100,000 jobs in just two years to help the West Midlands recover from the Coronavirus pandemic, and so I am absolutely thrilled by this news.

“Not only is this a major shot in the arm for our region’s construction sector that was performing so well pre-COVID, 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 we continue to run construction training courses so residents can get the skills 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.”

The new station has been designed to meet a ‘BREEAM excellent’ standard, an industry-recognised standard for buildings which reduce energy usage and materials waste as well as minimising their impact on the natural environment.

HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Mark Thurston commented: “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 delivering some of the world’s most challenging and exciting infrastructure projects, and I look forward to welcoming them to the team.”

Mace and Dragados have a proven track record when it comes to delivering cutting-edge projects, including the refurbishment of Birmingham New Street, Battersea Power Station (Phase 2) and work on delivering the Spanish high speed rail network including the new Madrid Atocha and Barcelona Sants stations.

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