Balfour Beatty VINCI, a long-established joint venture between two global infrastructure leaders, today announces it has received notification from High Speed 2 (HS2) to proceed with its two main civil engineering contracts, worth a combined total of c. £5 billion.

Following Notice to Proceed, the 50:50 joint venture will commence the full detailed design and construction of both schemes. Balfour Beatty’s in-depth expertise of delivering critical major infrastructure across the world will combine and complement VINCI’s global capability in high speed rail and expertise in UK rail infrastructure projects.

The scope of works comprises extensive earthworks, ground engineering, viaducts and tunnels along a 90 kilometer stretch between the Long Itchington Wood Green tunnel in the south to the West Coast Main Line tie-in near Litchfield in the north with a major junction into central Birmingham at Curzon Street.

Notice to Proceed marks a major milestone in Britain’s largest regeneration project which will create thousands of employment opportunities, dramatically increase rail capacity and support the economic growth of the UK.

Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, said: “HS2 is a transformational infrastructure scheme, underpinning both the economic resilience and future growth of the nation, during these unprecedented and challenging times.

“Notice to Proceed provides certainty for many businesses up and down the UK, and will drive investment in skills and capability for current and future generations.”

Preparatory works are due to start imminently with main construction to commence in earnest in the second quarter of 2021. All sites will be fully compliant with UK Government guidance for safe working practices in relation to social distancing.

At construction peak, a workforce of over 8,000 will be involved in delivering the scheme, many of whom will be locally employed. In addition, Balfour Beatty VINCI will offer approximately 400 apprenticeship and graduate opportunities.   The joint venture of Balfour Beatty, VINCI and SYSTRA was awarded the construction management contract for the c. £1 billion Old Oak Common station in 2019. Today’s announcement brings the number of packages the company will deliver on behalf of HS2 to three.