Coventry firms urged to apply for HS2 contracts

FIRMS across Coventry and Warwickshire have been urged to capitalise on the millions of pounds’ worth of contracts being offered in connection with the construction of the HS2 high speed rail line.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce said it had been keeping tabs on all of the latest developments surrounding HS2 so its members could find out more about the opportunities within the supply chain to deliver the project.

A portal detailing the contracts that are available and the main contractors to liaise with has been released and is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-contract-opportunities

The chamber is also discussing the possibility of holding local supply chain events to allow companies to meet representatives from HS2 and main contractors involved in the project.

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “HS2 will be one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK for decades and while there has been a great deal of debate around it, it’s vitally important that Coventry and Warwickshire companies are given the opportunity to apply for contracts.

“I would urge our members in construction and engineering to log onto the portal to see if there are opportunities that would suit them straight away.

“We are also hoping to hold events with HS2 and several of their main contractors to help facilitate face-to-face discussions for our members.”

She said it was vital that when opportunities such as this came along, local businesses were in a position to benefit.

Suppliers are being given the opportunity to meet companies bidding for the first major contracts to be procured as part of the rail track at a special event at the NEC next month.

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association is staging the event so suppliers can try and match their services to the needs of the seven big consortia bidding for the project’s £900m enabling works.

All seven of the consortia will be represented at the event, which takes place on February 3.