A NUMBER of Redditch businesses recently attended a ‘Meet the Contractor Day’ designed to give firms the chance to take advantage of contracts to help construct HS2.

The event, held in Birmingham, was a chance to discuss supply chain opportunities available as part of the £7.5billion packages of contracts awarded to deliver Phase One of the new high-speed rail network.

Royal Assent was granted last year for Phase One of the HS2 route between London and the West Midlands.

Last July, contracts worth £6.6billion for civil engineering works on Phase One were awarded, in addition to the £900million contracts for enabling work in 2016.

At the event, HS2’s direct contractors held more than 1,400 one-to-one meetings with more than 430 firms, including businesses from Redditch.

A number of packages were discussed with potential suppliers, ranging from environmental works, to landscaping, to construction materials and plant supply.

Redditch MP Rachel Maclean said: “Although Redditch won’t be a stop on the HS2 route, it doesn’t mean that our town can’t benefit from the biggest rail network infrastructure project since the Victorian era.

“Back in January, I called on the Government to ensure businesses in Redditch were made aware of the supply chain and contract opportunities available to them as part of the HS2 project.

"I’m thrilled the Government has listened and invited Redditch businesses along to the contractor event in Birmingham. I now hope the Redditch businesses that attended the event will be awarded contracts and our town can reap the economic benefits of this project."

Businesses unable to attend but want to get involved in the HS2 project can visit hs2.org.uk/supply-chain.