The CH2M/Atkins/SENER team will be fully integrated within HS2 Ltd “in order to drive long term efficiencies across the design and build process.”

Their role will focus on providing expert engineering and construction management support as well as assisting with preparation for the procurement of the main civils contracts for the London to Birmingham stage of the route.

The ten year contract covers the whole of Phase One construction, with the team focusing on a number of key functions, including:

• Supporting preparation for, and procurement of, the main civils contracts and subsequent work packages, including stations and railway systems
• Managing support of the design stage and construction stages of the works
• Providing project engineering and construction management
• Providing technical assurance of design

HS2 Ltd managing director Jim Crawford said: Today’s contract award marks an important milestone as we continue to move towards the start of construction in 2017.

“It is vital that we constantly challenge our suppliers to ensure we deliver long-term value for money for the taxpayer as well as a world-class railway for all our passengers, stakeholders and communities along the line.

“That’s why I’m pleased to welcome CH2M/Atkins/SENER to the team, and look forward to seeing HS2 benefiting from their considerable skills and experience of delivering world-class infrastructure on time and on budget.”