Work has commenced on the installation of 2,000 vertical concrete columns to form the foundations of Birmingham's Curzon Street Station, marking a key milestone in the construction of HS2's central rail hub.

The station is set to become a major part of Britain's new high-speed railway network.

The majority of these piles, covering a 100,000 square metre area, will support the station building and its platforms, while a smaller number of interlocking piles will form the walls of the station's basement, which will house operational facilities.

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HS2's contractor, Mace Dragados Joint Venture, is leading the foundation work with support from UK engineering firm Keltbray. A team of 80 workers is using three 95-tonne, 30-metre-tall piling rigs to complete the task.

Curzon Street Station will be a major transport hub, offering excellent connectivity to Birmingham's Eastside and Digbeth areas. It will link key residential, learning, and creative developments to the city centre and provide seamless connections to local transport, including buses and the Midland Metro tram line. The station will also feature new public spaces, such as two squares and a promenade.

The piling work is expected to be completed by mid-2025, with the next phase of foundation installation set to begin in 2024. The station's design, including its roof and internal features, will be finalised over the next year.