We could deliver HS2 Phase 1 in five years, claim Chinese

High Speed Rail

Chinese designed CRH380AL train at Shanghai Hongqiao railway station. Image: Jucember CC BY-SA 3.0

Chinese designed CRH380AL train at Shanghai Hongqiao railway station. Image: Jucember CC BY-SA 3.0

China’s state-run railway construction company has offered to help build Phase 1 of the HS2 network, saying it could deliver the project for less cost and more quickly than current expectations. 

The proposal is explained in a letter sent from the China Railway Construction Corporation to HS2 chief executive Mark Thurston on 28 January. The letter, which has been leaked, refers to previous exchanges between the parties. 

“I would like to clarify, for the avoidance of doubt, that CRCC stands ready to solve all of the issues that the project currently faces,” says the CRCC representative. “We are happy to offer a fixed price contract to undertake the scheme on a turnkey basis as previously offered.” 

The letter says the railway could be built to a capability of  420kph but the Government’s Oakervee review says the Phase 1 civils are designed to 400kph, and the operating infrastructure and rolling stock to 360kph. 

“We are certain that we can offer a cost that is significantly lower than the projections we have seen. We would undertake to complete the entire project within five years of commencement. We offer funding of up to 80 per cent of project value.”

According to last month’s National Audit Office report, the Government estimates that Phase 1, from London to the West Midlands, will open initially only from Old Oak Common to Birmingham between 2029 and 2033.  

“The strength of our position in terms of finance and sheer capability is one that should not be overlooked,” says the CRCC.  “We are happy to work with HS2 and, if necessary, the British Government, to find a way to make this work. The advantages are, in our opinion, too great to dismiss on the basis that there are obstacles to overcome. You will find that the Chinese way is to seek solutions, not linger on obstacles and difficulty.”

HS2 Ltd is currently trying to agree revised contractual terms with the joint ventures awarded two-stage design and build contracts for Phase 1 in July 2017. 

Says the CRCC: “We welcome the potential to work with your Tier 1 contractors and we are keen to find a JV partner.

“We are asking if it might be appropriate for this matter to be raised with the Right Honourable Grant Shapps, secretary of state for transport, to see if there is a way to engage with us with a view to solving all the problems that blight HS2?

“There seems to be a willingness on the part of Government to embrace a major contribution to 5G from the Chinese with regard to Huawei. We believe that this situation should be compared.”

The proposal attracted a critical response from Joe Rukin, campaign manager for Stop HS2. “Right now, HS2 Ltd pay disingenuous lip-service to the environment and communities, but if the Chinese are running the thing we won’t even get that.”

He said China’s high-speed network had been beset with severe safety issues and corruption. “Things are that bad that they not only buried the crashed train when 40 people died at Wenzhou, but their former rail minister was handed a death sentence for taking $250m in bribes.”

Of the estimated £30.7m (2015 prices) cost of Phase 1, only £10.67bn is for construction work of the line. Other elements of the cost include stations, rolling stock, preparatory work, utility diversions, and systems.