Plans for the UK second high speed railway took a significant step forward today with the short-listing four management consultancy organisations to the £50m to £70m development partner contracts. The scope of the contract includes developing the scheme in order to take the project to the next stage. The target is to place a Hybrid Bill into Parliament by October 2013 and seek to obtain Royal Assent by 2015. The sort listed consultancies include
- Turner & Townsend,
- Mace,
- CH2M Hill
- Parsons Brinckerhoff
We can expect rapid movement on the selection of the preferred partner if the deadline for of the bill, with an appointment due in early 2012 as the bill is expected before parlement in 2013. The winner of this contract will be in prime position for the significant Project Delivery Partner role, although it can be anticipate this role will see significant competition and interest from other parties.