HS2 Ltd today confirmed that TK Elevator has been awarded the framework to deliver around 300 state-of-the-art lifts and escalators for the four major new stations being built as part of the HS2 high speed rail project.
In total, Birmingham Curzon Street, Interchange, Old Oak Common and the new HS2 platforms at London Euston will need more than 160 lifts and 130 escalators to help hundreds of thousands of people access HS2 trains every day.
TK Elevator – which employs around 400 people across the UK – has been awarded a framework agreement, with the final value expected to be worth between £207m and £316m depending on the number of lifts and escalators needed.
HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said:
“HS2 is a revolutionary project that will improve transport, slash carbon emissions and create long-lasting jobs across the UK from manufacturing to the running of trains and it’s only right that it is accessible for everyone.
“These state-of-the-art lifts and escalators, alongside our commitment to step-free access from street to the train, will facilitate this while also acting as an eye-catching feature.”
This flexible approach will allow HS2 to vary the number of lifts and escalators in line with station requirements as the designs are finalised. As well as manufacture and installation, the framework also includes maintenance for up to 20 years.
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. Placed end to end, the escalators would stretch more than 3km – longer than the Forth Rail Bridge.
All of HS2’s new stations will be built to the highest industry standard – ‘BREEAM Excellent’ – in terms of sustainable lifetime performance, with 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 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.
HS2 Ltd’s Procurement Director, Andrew Cubitt, said:
“These lifts and escalators will be an essential part of our four iconic new stations - moving hundreds of thousands of people every day and helping us to ensure seamless journeys for everyone.
“I’d like to congratulate TK Elevator on their award of the framework and I look forward to seeing them deliver a vital part of the HS2 project.”
Inge Delobelle, CEO of TK Elevator in Europe & Africa, said:
“We are honoured to partner with HS2 on this landmark project. We have a strong track record of supporting transport infrastructure projects across the world, and are confident that our proven expertise as well as our commitment to sustainability and high safety standards will help provide the best mobility solutions for this ambitious undertaking.”
Once complete, HS2 will more than double the capacity along Britain’s main north-south rail routes and halve many journey times between London, Birmingham and the major cities of the north.
This new dedicated high-speed route will free up more space for local and freight services on the current mainline out of Euston and offer an environmentally friendly form of transport for long distance passengers.
