The Control, Command, Signalling (CCS) and Traffic Management (TM) systems contracts will have a combined value of £540m. The systems will use European Train Control System (ETCS) signalling and the latest TM technology to control trains travelling at up to 360km/h between London, Birmingham and Crewe, where HS2 trains will join the existing West Coast Main Line.

The contracts include:

• the design, manufacture, supply, installation, supervision, inspection, safety authorisation, testing, commissioning and maintenance until handover to trial operations of the Phase One (London – Birmingham – Lichfield) and Phase 2a (Lichfield – Crewe) CCS and TM systems
• the potential extension of the Phase One/2a TM system to cover Phase 2b of HS2 to Manchester and Leeds
• the CCS and TM works required for the Phase 2b alterations at London Euston station, and
• technical support for the CCS and TM systems for up to 25 years.

HS2 plans to announce a short list of bidders next year to award the contracts in 2022.

HS2 says it is looking for a specialist contractor to deliver a state-of-the-art signalling and control system which will allow Britain to run some of the world’s most frequent and reliable high-speed rail services.

The start of the formal procurement process for this second set of rail systems contracts follows the launch earlier in May of the track systems contest and the British government’s go-ahead for the start of civil engineering work, including the construction of tunnels, bridges and viaducts.

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