HS2 Ltd has awarded an £856 million contract to Taylor Woodrow Infrastructure and Aureos Rail to build the railway’s main control centre and rolling stock depot at Washwood Heath in Birmingham.
The joint venture, known as TWA JV, will transform the former LDV and Metro-Cammell industrial site into a major operational hub for Britain’s new high-speed railway, supporting more than 1,000 long-term jobs once complete.
The 70-hectare brownfield site, located alongside the A47 Heartlands Parkway, has a long railway manufacturing history and was one of the final assembly locations for the Pendolino fleet before closing in 2005.
The new depot will occupy around 30 hectares and include a rolling stock maintenance facility, train washing systems, inspection buildings, overnight storage sidings and a dedicated test track.
The site will also house HS2’s Network Integrated Control Centre, where staff will oversee train operations, communications and network performance.
Additional buildings will provide offices and welfare facilities for operational staff, while remaining land will be released for future commercial development alongside new green spaces and wildlife areas.
HS2 said the project would provide around 500 temporary construction roles in addition to the long-term operational workforce.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy said the development would play a major role in the wider economic impact of HS2 across the West Midlands.
“Washwood Heath and the wider HS2 programme will create thousands of jobs across the West Midlands,” he said.
“Together, they will help deliver faster, more reliable rail journeys across the UK.”
A recent economic study cited by HS2 estimates the project could generate around £10 billion of economic uplift around Birmingham’s two HS2 stations and the depot over the next decade.
Steve Cox, HS2 Ltd’s Area Director, described the depot as central to the future operation of the railway.
“The new depot and control centre at Washwood Heath will be at the heart of our day-to-day operation and play a crucial role in the testing and commissioning of the railway,” he said.
The contract includes final design, construction, testing and commissioning responsibilities, with work set to be carried out in close collaboration with HS2 and future railway operators.
Taylor Woodrow and Aureos Rail pointed to their experience on major rail infrastructure projects including the Elizabeth line, King’s Cross, Whitechapel and Old Oak Common.
Preparatory work at Washwood Heath has already been underway through HS2’s West Midlands construction partner Balfour Beatty VINCI, including site clearance, land remediation and construction of a retained cutting connecting to the Bromford Tunnel.
The award comes as HS2 chief executive Mark Wild continues overseeing a broader programme reset aimed at improving delivery efficiency and controlling project costs.
