84 West Midland firms to compete for £10bn HS2 contracts

Representing more than 150,000 workers, the firms include nine from Staffordshire, four from Walsall, three from Dudley, two from Wolverhampton, and one from Sandwell.

Business leaders will meet with bosses of the high speed rail project at two conferences being held in London and Manchester in October as the £50 billion scheme moves closer towards construction with a planned to start in 2017.

The companies range from big firms employing almost 5,000 people to some employing less than 10 - and supply a wide range of products, from construction and design to information and communications services.

HS2 will be Europe's biggest construction project, linking Manchester and Leeds to London via Birmingham and slashing journey times.

It is estimated HS2 will support in excess of 100,000 jobs nationwide.

HS2 Chief Executive, Simon Kirby said: "Building HS2 is a massive, long-term project; one that offers huge opportunity for large and small companies right across the country.

"To construct it; and then bring it to life will require a vast range of skills and expertise, some of which we have and some we'll need to develop. Put simply, HS2 is a huge transport, investment and economic opportunity.

"And to deliver a project of HS2's scale and complexity we are committed to working with companies who share our collaborative values.

"So, I am extremely pleased that so many firms have already shown an interest in helping to deliver HS2. I would encourage all firms large or small to get involved."

Another conference on the project in Birmingham tomorrow (fri) will feature a range of leading political and industry figures including transport minister Baroness Kramer.

The one-day event, organised by the West Midlands HS2 Strategic Board, will take place at Think Tank, Millennium Point.

Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council and member of the West Midlands HS2 Strategic Board, said: "Vibrant, successful cities and their wider economic areas need high quality connectivity to support economic growth and HS2 is key to ensuring this connectivity for the West Midlands.

"During the last two years and through the work of the West Midlands HS2 Strategic Board, we have been working hard to ensure the region is well placed to maximise the economic benefits of the new railway. "

Phase one of HS2, from London to Birmingham, is forecast to create 9,000 construction jobs, 1,500 permanent jobs and 30,000 jobs in station redevelopment areas around Euston, Old Oak Common, Birmingham Interchange and Birmingham Curzon Street.

Meanwhile MPs reviewing the laws to allow HS2 to be built have been given permission to look at 55 'minor' changes to the legislation.

Transport minister Robert Goodwill said the changes were mainly to access tracks, required to construct or maintain the railway and also related to National Grid requirements for electricity overhead line diversions.