Charlotte Fernández
UKIMEA Press Office,Leeds
Arup appointed to HS2 Professional Service Framework and wins Environmental Overview Services package.
Arup has been appointed to HS2 Ltd’s Professional Services Framework to provide Civil Engineering & Structural Design Services, Railway Systems Design Services (as lead of a JV with Systra), and Environmental Services (assisted by URS Corporation).
Under the framework agreement, companies will be awarded work packages to undertake specific services to support HS2 Ltd in progressing the design through to a Hybrid Bill and in preparation for the delivery of the project.
Arup, supported by URS has won the first package to be awarded under the framework, to provide Environmental Overview Services for HS2, from London to the West Midlands. In this role the firm will provide the technical leadership and oversight in the development of the Environmental Impact Assessment; coordinate the work of other environmental companies appointed to geographical packages; and under the management of HS2 Ltd produce the Environmental Statement, which will form part of the Hybrid Bill documentation.
HS2 will be a truly national network, benefiting the whole country. It will connect London to the West Midlands initially, with extensions to Manchester and Leeds. The new trains will be designed to continue onto the current network, providing direct services to Newcastle, Liverpool and Glasgow.
It is being designed to operate at speeds up 225 mph, and connects to the existing UK rail system to allow trains to travel to Scotland. It also connects to France and Belgium through HS1.