HS2 Unveils £1bn Temporary Infrastructure Maintenance Programme Amid Project Overhaul

HS2 Ltd has announced plans for a substantial interim maintenance and asset protection programme worth more than £1bn, as the high-speed rail scheme undergoes a major restructuring phase.

A newly published procurement notice reveals that the organisation is preparing to appoint Interim Maintenance Contractors (IMCs) to manage and safeguard completed sections of infrastructure while the wider project delivery strategy is reassessed under the ongoing HS2 Reset.

The framework is expected to carry an estimated value of £1.034bn before VAT, rising to approximately £1.241bn including VAT. Contracts are anticipated to run from July 2027 through to the end of 2037.

HS2 Ltd stated that the upcoming contracts are intended to ensure completed assets remain secure, operational and compliant during the transition period before High-Speed Rail Systems (HSRS) contractors take over responsibility.

The work programme will primarily focus on “Care & Custody” operations and broader infrastructure safeguarding duties across assets delivered under the project’s Main Works Civils Contracts (MWCC).

Core maintenance responsibilities

The planned scope of work covers several operational and engineering services, including:

• Land and estate management

• Maintenance of environmental and landscaping infrastructure

• Upkeep and operation of temporary site facilities

• Civil engineering maintenance activities

In addition, the safeguarding package is expected to include:

• Security and site protection services

• Principal Contractor responsibilities

• Specialist professional support services when instructed

• Lead Contractor obligations under the HS2 Code of Construction Practice

• CDM Principal Contractor duties

HS2 also indicated that contractors may be asked to deliver additional optional services, such as landscape enhancement schemes, planted area development and smaller-scale civil engineering works.

Opportunities for SMEs

The procurement notice highlighted that the programme could provide opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), potentially allowing specialist firms to participate in elements of the delivery framework.

Publication of the official tender notice is currently expected in November 2026.

Reset continues to reshape HS2

The announcement comes amid continued scrutiny of the HS2 programme following the government’s recent reset review.

Updated figures released earlier this month showed the projected cost of HS2 has increased to between £87.7bn and £102.7bn in 2025 prices. Meanwhile, the opening of the first operational section between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street is now forecast to take place sometime between 2036 and 2039.

The revised programme follows ongoing concerns around project governance, delivery delays and escalating construction costs, which have prompted a wider reassessment of how the railway will be completed and managed in the coming years.