Hundreds of new jobs set to be created at new HS2 hub in Birmingham as first designs released
The first designs for a proposed new HS2 control and maintenance centre in Birmingham, which is set to create hundreds of jobs has been released. Artist impressions of the new HS2 depot in Washwood Heath, which will include the main Network Integrated Control Centre (NICC) and a maintenance facility for trains have been unveiled.
The site, to the north east of Birmingham city centre, will be where HS2 trains are serviced, repaired and stored when not in use. There will be three buildings, the NICC, the maintenance building and a drivers building. The site is expected to create 550 jobs ‘for local people’.
The Maintenance Building, which will be home to 250 staff, will be the main operations hub at the site, with ‘accommodation, workshops and staff welfare facilities’. Jobs will include facilities management, fleet management, production, cleaning, and depot drivers.
The NICC, which will have more than 100 staff, will oversee the whole HS2 network and will be in the middle of the Washwood Heath depot. It will be a standalone building and will have the control room, a gym and canteen.
While the Cleaners and Drivers building on the western side of the site will be home to 200 more staff and will be linked to the Stabling Yard where trains are ‘cleaned and replenished',
We’re working closely with Birmingham City Council and other key stakeholders to achieve aspirations for the wider area to the south of the Washwood Heath Depot site which provides the opportunity to create more jobs, connectivity, and environmental benefits.
“Our design team have been focused on ensuring sustainability is incorporated into our Washwood Heath Depot site and it is a great example of HS2’s environmental ambitions. It’s also a pivotal site providing hundreds of crucial jobs for people in this area of Birmingham, highlighting the long-term economic benefits that HS2 is delivering for the region.
Source: Birmingham Mail