UK: High Speed 2 project promoter HS2 Ltd has selected Laing O’Rourke Delivery Ltd for a £370m contract to undertake detailed design and construction of the Interchange station in Solihull to the east of Birmingham.
Skanska Construction UK and the Unity Joint Venture of Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerFitzpatrick had also been shortlisted.
The selection of Laing O’Rourke Delivery Ltd was announced on July 11, with formal award of the contract subject to the regulatory standstill period.
Station design
The Interchange station will have two 415 m long island platforms and two central high speed through lines for non-stop services.
It will be linked to the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham International station and the airport via an automated peoplemover.
The station has obtained BREEAM Outstanding building sustainability certification at the design stage, with use of natural daylight and ventilation, a roof design which can capture and reuse rainwater, air source heat pumps, LED lighting and features to enable net zero carbon emissions from day-to-day energy consumption.
‘We’ve worked with Arup to develop an award-winning, eco-friendly station, and now look forward to starting the next phase of design before construction starts next year’, said HS2’s Stations Director Lee Holmes.
HS2’s Main Works Contractor Balfour Beatty Vinci is currently preparing the 150 ha site within a triangle of land formed by the M42, A45 and A452 roads, and the LM joint venture of Laing O’Rourke and Murphy has undertaken early works including construction of modular bridges and road remodelling to facilitate access.
