High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has launched market engagement to procure professional services partners to support the delivery of the HS2 high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, UK.

HS2 Ltd plans to procure professional services to support the delivery of HS2, Britain’s new high-speed rail network. The proposed partnering arrangements will provide additional support for the successful completion of the programme’s remaining phases. Tender notices for the professional services contracts are currently expected to be published in April 2027. The final contractual structure and procurement route will be determined following the outcome of ongoing market engagement. At this stage, three potential service scopes have been identified, covering Project and Programme Management, Technical and Engineering Services, and Commercial Delivery. 

The update follows the programme reset announced in May 2027, which indicated that the HS2 rail line would cost significantly more than originally planned and take longer to complete. Costs for the existing works had increased by £37 billion under the previous government. Once completed, the rail line is expected to reduce journey times between Birmingham and London Euston to around 49 minutes, roughly half the current travel time, while also providing connections towards Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow. 

Following the programme reset, HS2 is transitioning from major civil engineering activities towards the installation of railway systems. As part of the ongoing works, construction of major viaduct structures spanning the M42 and M6 is progressing, alongside the completion of the Copthall Tunnel, the first of five green tunnels planned for the HS2 route.