Construction firm lands HS2 substructure job
A Birmingham-based construction firm has secured the contract to build the substructure for HS2’s Curzon Street Station, signalling the next phase in the development of the city’s landmark high-speed rail station.
A team of 140 workers from MPB Structures started work in January 2025, focusing on the station’s substructure, creating training and employment opportunities for local people.
Tasks will include excavating 65,000 cubic metres of earth, installing 417 pile caps using 17,000 cubic metres of concrete, and reinforcing the structure with over 4,700 tonnes of steel.
It follows the work currently being carried out by Keltbray, which is installing 2,000 concrete piles to support the station’s foundations.
Beyond the foundation work, MPB’s team will also waterproof new concrete structures, build the station’s drainage system, and construct attenuation tanks to store and recycle rainwater for future station use.
MPB Structures is working under the Mace Dragados Joint Venture (MDJV), HS2’s main contractor for Curzon Street Station.
Dave Lock, HS2’s project client director for Curzon Street Station said: “This contract award marks the next stage of our construction programme to build the flagship Curzon Street Station, and we’re delighted to have MPB on board. Further contracts will be awarded in the coming months as we move towards starting on the main station structure next year.”
Patrick Boyle, board director and business owner of MPB Structures said: “We are delighted to have secured this prestigious contract on the Curzon Street Station building. Our business has a long and rich history of successfully delivering major projects for key clients across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. We are fully committed to this project and to the opportunity to support and deliver a significant social value proposition for MDJV and HS2.
“In addition to local employment, one of our main aspirations is to create work placements and workless jobs starts for local people building on other successes we have had in this arena coupled with West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker’s ambition to create 20,000 jobs and opportunities within the region.”
