The £900m Enabling Works Contracts cover the whole of Phase One, from London to Birmingham and the connection to the West Coast Mainline at Handsacre, with work due to begin in the spring.

The following joint ventures will be appointed:

• Area South – CS JV (Costain Group Plc, Skanska Construction UK Limited)
• Area Central – Fusion JV (Morgan Sindall plc, BAM Nuttall Limited, Ferrovial Agroman (UK) Limited)
• Area North – LM JV (Laing O’Rourke Construction Limited, J. Murphy & Sons Limited)

As well as archaeology, site clearance and establishing site compounds, the contractors will also deliver a range of activities including utility diversions, ecology surveys, demolition, ground remediation, watercourse activities, highways realignments, monitoring and instrumentation, structural reinforcements and drainage work.

Jim Crawford, HS2 Ltd Managing Director – Construction, said:

“Today’s announcement marks an important milestone as we continue to move towards the start of construction and the beginning of a challenging new phase in the project.

“Over the coming years, our new partners will deliver the essential preparatory work we need to deliver the main construction programme on time and on budget, as well as creating jobs and training opportunities for thousands of people all along the route from London to the West Midlands and across our UK-wide supply chain.”