First foundations laid for HS2's Birmingham Curzon Street station

Work has begun on laying the foundations for HS2’s Curzon Street station in Birmingham. 

Contractor Mace Dragados Joint Venture will install 2,000 vertical columns, which will form the foundations for the station. 

Piling is planned for completion by mid-2025, with the installation of further foundations on starting next year. A team of 80 people is delivering the work using three 95-tonne, 30-metre-tall piling rigs.

The site, close to the city centre next to Moor Street, spans more than 100 square metres in Birmingham’s Eastside.

The start of work follows several years of ground preparation, which has included the removal and reburial of scores of skeletons from an old graveyard on part of the station site. Contractors also discovered what is thought to be the world’s oldest railway roundhouse.

Early works started on the station site in 2017, and updated designs were published last month. The station, which will be served by a West Midlands Metro tram stop, is expected to become operational between 2029 and 2033.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker was among those invited to witness the latest HS2 milestone. 

“The work happening at Curzon Street station is impressive, and it’s going to be a major part of our city’s future,” he said.

“Even though it’ll take a few years to complete, we’re already seeing the benefits.”

Parts of the surrounding area have already been redeveloped in anticipation of HS2’s arrival. The rundown area of Digbeth has been one of the major beneficiaries, with regeneration of the area gathering pace.

Earlier this year, it emerged that following the cancellation of the northern leg of HS2 to Manchester, some of the platforms being built at Curzon Street will lay idle and unused.

HS2 Ltd said that retaining the seven platforms will mean that any future decision to expand the network can be accommodated without additional cost.