HS2: Construction of interchange 'to create 1,000 jobs'

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has announced that the contract to build HS2’s Interchange Station in the West Midlands will support around 1,000 jobs over the next five years.

The boost includes 22 new apprenticeship roles, offering the chance to learn new skills and start a new career on the UK’s biggest infrastructure project.

The Mayor said the station serving the high-speed rail network would be "transformational" for the region's economy.

Work has started on the first phase of HS2, connecting London and Birmingham, including the £370m interchange.

The station, serving the NEC, Birmingham Airport and Solihull, is set to open in 2026.

Supply Chain

Supply chain contracts will also be available for businesses in the region, including construction related services, and specialist equipment supply. This is in addition to manufactured components, as well as catering, cleaning, printing and recycling services.

The government says HS2 will cut Birmingham to London journey times from one hour 21 minutes to 52 minutes.

HS2 says up to five trains per hour will pass through the interchange, with an estimated total of 175,000 seats available per day.

Planning permission was secured two years ago, while building work on the site is set to start in 2024.

Levelling Up

Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor said: “When we think of Levelling Up in action, HS2 epitomises the potential we can and must unleash by backing the right schemes. HS2 will reinforce our region’s place at the heart of the UK economy when it starts operating but it is already delivering for the West Midlands today – through job creation, opportunities for local businesses and of course this new station contract.

“This announcement demonstrates once again that HS2 is a flagship Levelling Up project for the UK and will continue to catalyse investment into the West Midlands.”

HS2’s Interchange Station will be the catalyst for huge growth plans in Solihull, creating an economic transformation for the region. The plans, being led by the Urban Growth Company, will support 30,000 jobs, up to 3,000 new homes and 70,000m2 of commercial space.

This forms part of the wider UK Central Hub area plans for 70,000 jobs, 8,000 new homes and 650,000m2 of commercial space, generating £6.2bn GVA per year and bringing 1.3m people to within a 45-minute public transport commute of the station.

 Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor said:

“Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor said: “When we think of Levelling Up in action, HS2 epitomises the potential we can and must unleash by backing the right schemes.

“HS2 will reinforce our region’s place at the heart of the UK economy when it starts operating but it is already delivering for the West Midlands today – through job creation, opportunities for local businesses and of course this new station contract.”