A railway engineering plant is to start work this year on key infrastructure and long-term maintenance projects for HS2, one of Europe's largest infrastructure projects.
Siemens Mobility, which has its main UK plant in Chippenham, has been awarded four significant contracts worth £560m by HS2 Ltd and will join key contractors under the Rail Systems Alliance.
The firm is about to begin construction of a new state-of-the-art £100m factory on the site, which will play a key role in delivering the projects.
Siemens Mobility employs around 800 people in Chippenham, where signalling and control systems for much of the UK’s railway network has been made since 1897.
The factory produces components for traffic control and signalling equipment, along with electronic components for digital train control technology.
Recent projects have included digital signalling technology for the Elizabeth, Victoria and Central lines on the London Underground.
It will now play a crucial role in the delivery and operation of HS2, the new 225km-long high-speed railway that will connect London and the West Midlands, where new station in Birmingham, pictured, is under construction.
The contracts Siemens Mobility has secured include:
- Command, control, signalling & traffic management (CCS&TM). Siemens Mobility technology will be used for the first time on a high-speed rail network, enabling semi-automatic train operations for improved capacity, punctuality and energy efficiency. The firm will provide technical support services for the system for at least 15 years.
- Engineering management system. Siemens Mobility will deliver and maintain a system to enable real-time control and monitoring of railway equipment, ultimately enhancing reliability and efficiency. The firm will again provide technical support services for the system for at least 15 years.
- High voltage (HV) power supply systems. In a joint venture with construction group Costain, Siemens Mobility will design, install and maintain high-voltage power supply systems along the HS2 route, pictured, providing maintenance services for the system for at least seven years.
- Operational telecommunications and security systems. The firm will desig and implement operational telecommunications and security systems for the entire HS2 route and maintain the systems once in operation. It will provide technical support services for the system for at least eight years.
Siemens Mobility had already landed a £47m integrated station information management system framework contract with HS2, which was awarded last year.
Siemens Mobility UKI joint CEO Rob Morris said: “HS2 is going to transform rail travel in Britain, and we’re delighted to be playing a key part in delivering it.”
“Our work for HS2 will help in sustaining British jobs and skills from our UK based workforce, and in our 2,500 strong supply chain.”
“We’re already committed to investing £100m in a new digital engineering, manufacturing and research and development centre in Chippenham, which will now play a key role in delivering HS2.”
The new plant, pictured, which is expected to open next year, will play a pivotal role in Siemens Mobility’s future projects to transform rail travel and transport in Britain by developing and building the next generation of conventional, digital rail signalling and control systems.
When the go-ahead for the plant was announced last year Siemens said it was expected be the “most modern signalling facility not just in Europe, but in the world”, with up to half the output destined for projects outside the UK.
Birmingham Curzon Street station and HV power supply systems images used courtesy of HS2 Ltd
