HS2 station deal a 'shot in the arm' for construction industry - Andy Street
Andy Street has hailed "a major shot in the arm" for the region's construction industry after a deal was signed for a city HS2 station.
The West Midlands Mayor, who was re-elected for a second term on Saturday, said the £570 million contract for the Curzon Street high speed rail station in Birmingham would create "hundreds of jobs for local people".
The deal will see construction giants Mace and Dragados work with HS2 Ltd in two stages to finalise the design and then build the landmark station.
The firms say it will be net zero carbon and adopt an eco-friendly design and sustainable technologies, with more than 2,800 sq metres of solar panels featured on platform canopies.
Mr Street said: “HS2 is at the heart of my plans to create 100,000 jobs in just two years to help the West Midlands recover from the coronavirus pandemic, and so I am absolutely thrilled by this news.
“Not only is this a major shot in the arm for our region’s construction sector that was performing so well pre-Covid, but the building of Curzon Street is also set to create hundreds of jobs. That’s local jobs for local people at such a difficult time, and I will ensure we continue to run construction training courses so residents can get the skills they need to take on these new roles.
“I’m also excited to see the commitment from HS2 Ltd that the station will be net-zero, helping the West Midlands in its battle against the climate emergency and in our aim to become carbon neutral by 2041.”
Mace and Dragados have previously worked on projects including the refurbishment of Birmingham New Street, Battersea Power Station and work on delivering the Spanish high speed rail network.
They are also working together in a separate joint venture delivering HS2’s London terminus at Euston.
HS2 Ltd’s chief executive, Mark Thurston, said the station was "right at the heart of the HS2 project".
"The station will play a vital role in the long-term economic future of the West Midlands, creating hundreds of jobs during construction and boosting the region after the pandemic," he added.
HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said the station marked "a major investment in Birmingham’s future as we build back better from Covid-19 - breathing new life into the city centre, supporting hundreds of new skilled jobs and helping forge better connections across the whole country".
