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HS2 has begun the search for specialist contractors to share almost £2bn of track systems work.

The four contracts will provide around 280km of high speed track and will cover the section of the route that runs between London and Birmingham and onto Crewe. 

Following on from the government’s recent approval for the civil engineering elements of the project, today’s announcement opens more opportunities for Britain’s construction and engineering sector. 

The winners will also take a lead role in managing and coordinating the complex interfaces between the track and other elements of the rail systems.

Contracts covering rail, switches and crossings and pre-cast slab track systems will be awarded separately – with the track systems suppliers coordinating the design and installation.

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The winning bidders are set to arrive on site once the tunnels, bridges, viaducts and earthworks are complete.

Six more sets of rail systems contracts are due to be launched later in the year, covering signalling, the overhead catenary that will provide power to the trains, mechanical and electrical systems, high voltage power supplies, communications systems and the depot and control centre at Washwood Heath in Birmingham.

The winning bidders will also be responsible for the design, installation and testing of switches and crossings, managing construction logistics and co-ordination, and supporting the testing and commissioning phase.

They will also act as construction design and management principal contractor for the track and be responsible for logistics and consents coordination.

Shortlists are expected towards the end of the year, while the contracts are expected to be awarded in 2022.