A Government Minister is urging businesses in the East Midlands to register for contracts within the HS2 supply chain.
As the proposed track threatens to cut its way through Leicestershire with a planned station at Toton in Notts, HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said there are millions of pounds of opportunities for firms across the region to play a part.
Last year the Government-commissioned Oakervee Review warned that the final bill for HS2 could reach 拢106 billion, with concerns the eastern leg 鈥 which would run from Birmingham through the East Midlands to Leeds 鈥 could be scrapped.
However supporters still hope that section will go ahead, while work on the London to Birmingham route is already underway.
HS2 Ltd says construction of the first phase between Birmingham and London is expected to generate around 400,000 contract opportunities, and it wants to see British businesses capitalise on the 拢25 billion worth of opportunities it says are expected to flow out into the wider supply chain over the coming years.
Andrew Stephenson is hosting an online event on Tuesday, June 22, to show small and medium sized businesses in the East Midlands how to register an interest in joining HS2鈥檚 supply chain.
The one-hour business webinar, which will be held at 3pm, will include an opening address from the minister, as well as the opportunity to hear from local firms who are already working on the project.
They will share their personal experiences of how HS2 has helped their business to grow, along with tips and advice on how to stand out as a winning bidder.
Mr Stephenson said: 鈥淗S2 is at the heart of the Government鈥檚 commitments to build back better after the Covid-19 pandemic, level up communities and drive economic growth across the country.
鈥淭he vast majority of contracts on HS2 have gone to British businesses, so I鈥檇 encourage businesses to get involved and take the opportunities offered by this once in a generation investment in our country鈥檚 transport infrastructure.鈥
HS2 Ltd says businesses in the Midlands are well placed to bid for work on the supply chain which already includes more than 2,000 businesses 鈥 97 per cent of which it says are 海角视频-based.
Robin Lapish, HS2鈥檚 supply chain manager, said: 鈥淭he scale of work that will be delivered to construct HS2 into the next decade and beyond presents a vast opportunity.
鈥淚n the current climate, local businesses are looking for confidence and assurance in the supply chain and a contract with HS2 provides that.
鈥淢y advice to small businesses is to invest an hour of your time - HS2 isn鈥檛 just about track and trains, and that鈥檚 exactly what this webinar will demonstrate.鈥
The business webinar is free to attend, and tickets are available through the Eventbrite website.
