HS2 has revealed a shortlist of companies for major engineering contracts as part of the national rail project.

A total of nine bidders have been listed for civil engineering works worth £7.1 - £11.8 billion between London and Crewe.

The company's are in the running for the start of formal tendering for up to £900 million worth of enabling works, as well as the start of the procurement process to grow several million trees to plant alongside the line.

The Phase One civil engineering contracts covering 140 miles from London to Birmingham are expected to be signed in 2017, with the start of work on site one year later.

It is expected the works will lead to the creation of up to 14,600 construction jobs.

The following companies have been shortlisted for at least one package each:

• Align Joint Venture (Bouygues, VolkerFitzpatrick, Sir Robert McAlpine)

• ASL (Acciona Infraestructuras, John Sisk & Son, Lagan)

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• BBV (Balfour Beatty, VINCI BeMo)

• Catalyst (Bechtel)

• CEK (Carillion, Eiffage, Kier)

• Fusion (Morgan Sindall, BAM Nuttall, Ferrovial Agroman)

• LFM (Laing O'Rourke, FCC Construccion, J. Murphy and Sons Limited

• Momentum Infrastructure (Dragados, HOCHTIEF, GallifordTry)

• SCS (Skanska, Costain, STRABAG)

In addition, HS2 has revealed details of engineering design work worth up to £500m for developing the detailed plans for Phase Two, including Crewe to Manchester and Birmingham to Leeds, ahead of a formal route decision expected in autumn.

Seven joint ventures have now been formally invited to start tendering for enabling work, preparing sites for the start of construction and carrying out essential pre-construction activity such as utilities diversions and archaeological surveys.

Today, 23 March also marked the start of procurement for nearly two million native trees for advance planting, with an extra five million to be bought in the next 10 years.

These trees will be grown and ready for planting throughout the construction period.

HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Simon Kirby said: "Today's announcements are a major milestone for the project. Over the next 10 years HS2 will help create tens of thousands of job opportunities, build specialist skills and expertise across the country and create at least 2,000 new apprenticeships.

"Collaboration will be at the heart of everything we do. Together with our suppliers, we will create these opportunities while continuing to push for the best value and long term efficiency that will be essential to delivering this transformational project on time and on budget."

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill added: "This major moment in the procurement process takeus a step further to getting spades in the ground next year, so construction can begin on this vital railway."

(LM)