BRITAIN’s HS2 Ltd has shortlisted four contractors for a £540m contract to deliver ETCS signalling and related control systems for phases 1 and 2a of the HS2 high-speed project. 

The shortlist comprises: 

  • Alstom Transport UK 
  • Hitachi Rail 
  • Siemens Mobility, and 
  • Thales Transport & Security. 

Tendering for the contract was launched in May 2020, and HS2 is expected to select a winning bidder from the shortlist in the fourth quarter of next year.  

Work under the contract will include: 

  • the design, manufacture, supply, installation, supervision, inspection, safety authorisation, testing, commissioning and maintenance until handover to trial operations of the Phase 1(London - Birmingham - Lichfield) and Phase 2a (Lichfield - Crewe) control command signalling (CCS) and traffic management (TM) systems 
  • the potential extension of the Phase 1/2a TM system to cover Phase 2b of HS2 to Manchester and Leeds 
  • the CCS and TM works required for the Phase 2b alterations at London Euston station, and 
  • technical support for the CCS and TM systems for up to 25 years. 

The systems will use ETCS and the latest TM technology to control trains travelling at up to 360km/h between London, Birmingham and Crewe, where HS2 trains will join the existing West Coast Main Line. 

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