Bidding delayed for next phase of HS2 due to Tory leadership battle

The Tory leadership race has resulted in a delay for the procurement of the main civils framework for HS2 phase 2a.

The West Midlands to Crewe route framework packages will be worth more than £1.6bn and prequalification for this was expected to begin in July.

The Construction Enquirer reported however that prospective bidders have been told that, “as a result of the ongoing leadership changes in government, the approvals we need to issue the PQQ have been delayed”.

Main civil engineering works for the project include; two bored tunnels totalling 2.5km, 17 viaducts of 6.2km, 61 bridges, 19million m3 of embankments, 20million m3 of cuttings.

Phase 2a HS2 will join the northern end of Phase One at Fradley in the West Midlands to Crewe.

Services will join the existing rail network to create direct services to places including Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Carlisle and Glasgow. Crewe is also the station for connections to North Wales and Shrewsbury.