Laing O’Rourke and Murphy responsible for work

Washwood Heath 1

Demolition has kicked off at the site which has been earmarked for HS2’s train maintenance depot in Birmingham.

A joint venture made up of Laing O’Rourke and Murphy is responsible for the demolition of a former railway works in Washwood Heath.

The demolition, which the JV is carrying out with Nottingham-based specialist Total Reclaims Demolition, covers a site larger than 110,000m2.

Formerly known as the Washwood Heath Railway Works, the site was last used by train maker Alstom.

It is the preferred location for HS2’s future depot because it is centrally located in relation to the completed HS2 network, which will be extended to Leeds and Manchester.

HS2 trains will be maintained at Washwood Heath and activities at the facility will include cleaning, servicing and routine repairs of the new high-speed fleet.

It will be HS2’s only rolling stock maintenance depot for phases one and 2A of the new network.