More than £6.6 billion worth of contracts have been awarded for the first phase of the HS2 programme.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has unveiled the successful firms to develop the Phase Oen route from London Euston to Birmingham, which is set to open in 2026.

The huge infrastructure investment covers the main civil engineering work such as construction of tunnels, bridges, embankments and viaducts.

The winning bidders are as follows;

Area South

• Euston Tunnels and Approaches – SCS JV (Skanska Construction UK Ltd, Costain Ltd, STRABAG AG)

• Northolt Tunnels – SCS JV (Skanska Construction UK Ltd, Costain Ltd, STRABAG AG)

Area Central

• Chiltern Tunnels and Colne Valley Viaduct – Align JV (Bouygues Travaux Publics, VolkerFitzpatrick, Sir Robert McAlpine)

• North Portal Chiltern Tunnels to Brackley – CEK JV (Carillion Construction Ltd, Eiffage Genie Civil SA, Kier Infrastructure and Overseas Ltd)

• Brackley to South Portal of Long Itchington Wood Green Tunnel – CEK JV (Carillion Construction Ltd, Eiffage Genie Civil SA, Kier Infrastructure and Overseas Ltd)

Area North

• Long Itchington Wood Green Tunnel to Delta Junction and Birmingham Spur – BBV JV (Balfour Beatty Group Ltd, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, VINCI Construction UK Ltd, VINCI Construction Terrassement)

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• Delta Junction to WCML Tie-In – BBV JV (Balfour Beatty Group Ltd, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, VINCI Construction UK Ltd, VINCI Construction Terrassement)

Preparatory works are already underway, with main construction work starting in 2018/19 following a period of detailed design work.

Overall, construction of the full route to the north-west and Yorkshire will create up to 25,000 jobs and 2,000 apprenticeships.

Later today, 17 July, The Transport Secretary will publish a Bill to deliver the next phase of HS2, from the West Midlands to the West Coast Main Line south of Crewe. Subject to Parliamentary approval, this part of the route can open in 2027, six years earlier than planned.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "This is a hugely important step in the construction of Britain's new railway and underlines this government's determination to deliver an economy that works for all.

"HS2 will deliver vital links between some of our country's biggest cities, helping to drive economic growth and productivity in the north and midlands.

"As well as providing desperately needed new seats and better connecting our major cities, HS2 will help rebalance our economy.

"We will now get on with building the railway, while continuing to ensure affected communities get appropriate support and are treated with fairness, compassion and respect."

David Higgins, Chairman of HS2 Ltd, said: "This is a huge day for the HS2 project and for the country. These contracts will support 16,000 jobs here in Britain and will create opportunities for thousands of SMEs.

"HS2 was always designed to be much more than just a high speed railway and today we can see the opportunities it brings right around the country - spreading prosperity, acting as a catalyst for investment and rebalancing our economy 10 years before the railway even opens. Business now has the surety to invest with confidence to build a legacy for Britain."

Later today, 17 July, The Transport Secretary will publish a Bill to deliver the next phase of HS2, from the West Midlands to the West Coast Main Line south of Crewe.

(LM/MH)