The winning bidder and HS2 will work jointly to convert the 30ha brownfield site into the rail depot and control centre. Credit: Jon Buttle-Smith on Unsplash.

HS2 is seeking contractors to build the high-speed rail project’s central control centre and maintenance depot in Birmingham, UK.

The project is expected to generate around 500 long-term jobs in Washwood Heath.

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The value of the contract has been estimated at around £275m.

The winning bidder and HS2 will work jointly to convert the 30ha brownfield site into the rail depot and control centre.

HS2’s fleet of high-speed trains will be overhauled and maintained, 24h a day, seven days a week in this new depot, which will be located next to the main line in Birmingham Curzon Street.

The depot will comprise a carriage wash, automatic vehicle inspection building, a 40,000m² rolling stock maintenance building and 14 sidings where trains can be warehoused overnight.

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Network Integrated Control Centre, the centre of the network’s signalling and control systems along with the office buildings for cleaners and drivers will also be constructed.

HS2 commercial director David Poole said: “The start of the search for a contractor to build Washwood Heath is a real milestone for the HS2 project and a huge long-term opportunity for the area. With main works civils construction now well underway, we are putting the specialist team in place to support the operation of the new railway. Washwood Heath will be at the heart of the operation – and around 500 high-skilled jobs based at the depot will be a major boost for the community.”

Earlier, the Washwood Heath site was being used for the disused Metro-Cammell railway works, which was shut in 2004.

Last year, a team from HS2’s early works contractor LM finished the demolition of the buildings to commence the new construction.

After the completion of the entire project, phase one and 2a will have a fleet of at least 54 trains, based at Washwood Heath.

These 200m-long units can be increased to twice their size, forming 400m-long trains and will be operated beyond the HS2 network such as Liverpool, Glasgow, Preston and Carlisle through a link to the current West Coast Main Line at Crewe.

For the single-stage design and build contract, bidders will be shortlisted later this year with the contract to be awarded in 2023.