Four companies shortlisted for HS2’s £540m signalling and control systems work

Alstom Transport UK, Hitachi Rail, Siemens Mobility and Thales Transport & Security have been shortlisted by HS2 Ltd to deliver the state-of-the-art signalling and control systems which will allow the UK to run some of the world’s most frequent and reliable high-speed rail services.

The new contract opportunities, worth a combined total of £540m, cover the design and build of the signalling systems that will control trains travelling at speeds of up to 360km/h between London, Birmingham and Crewe – where HS2 trains will join the existing West Coast Mainline – and up to 25 years of technical support.

Instead of traditional coloured lights, HS2 will use a high-tech signaling system that feeds information directly into the cab, allowing faster and more frequent services.

HS2 Ltd’s Procurement and Commercial Director, David Poole said: “Our state-of-the-art Command and Control Systems and Traffic Management systems will allow HS2 to offer fast, frequent and reliable low carbon journeys for millions of people every year.”

The Control, Command, Signalling (CCS) and Traffic Management (TM) Systems contracts will require the winning bidder to deliver the work with a combined value of £540m, including:

• the design, manufacture, supply, installation, supervision, inspection, safety authorisation, testing, commissioning and maintenance until handover to trial operations of the Phase One and Phase 2a CCS & TM systems;
• the potential extension of the Phase One / 2a TM system to cover Phase 2b;
• the CCS & TM works required for the Phase 2b alterations at Euston station; and
• the provision of technical support services for the CCS & TM systems for up to 25 years.

The CCS & TM systems provided on HS2 will utilise European Train Control System (ETCS) signalling and the latest TM technology.

Photo credit: HS2 Ltd

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