HS2 has issued its latest invitation to tender to its supply chain, this time to design, deliver and maintain almost 300 state-of-the-art lifts and escalators for HS2’s four major new stations.
Around 160 lifts and 130 escalators will be installed across the project, helping hundreds of thousands of people access HS2 trains every day. All the new stations in London and Birmingham will be zero carbon in terms of day-to-day operation, and fully accessible, with step-free access from street to train.
The longest escalators will be at Old Oak Common, in west London, which will take passengers 13.5m up from the subsurface platforms to concourse level. In total, the new station – where HS2 meets Crossrail services to Heathrow and the West End of London – will boast more than 50 lifts and escalators.
Three of HS2’s new stations will be built to the highest industry standard – ‘BREEAM Excellent’ – in terms of sustainable lifetime performance, with Birmingham Interchange set to achieve the higher level of ‘BREEAM Outstanding’. Energy efficient lifts and escalators are a key part of achieving these ambitious environmental standards.
The following bidders have been invited to tender for two separate packages covering lifts and escalators:
- Fujitec UK Ltd
- Kone Plc
- Otis Ltd
- Schindler Ltd
- Thyssenkrupp Elevator UK Ltd
HS2 Ltd’s procurement and commercial director, David Poole, said: “This invitation to tender is a key step forward in the delivery of HS2’s four iconic new railway stations. The lifts and escalators our partners go on to deliver will be at the heart of the operation, moving hundreds of thousands of people every day and helping us to ensure seamless journeys for everyone.”
The contract is divided into two separate packages for lifts, worth up to £267 million, and escalators, worth up to £198 million, with the winners appointed to frameworks. This flexible approach allows for potential changes in the number of lifts and escalators ordered as station designs are finalised.
Contracts are expected to be awarded next year and the value includes maintenance for 20 years.
