New HS2 Rail Link to Boost Birmingham Economy with £1.4 Billion Impact

The new HS2 line, which will connect Birmingham to London, is set to drive significant economic growth in the region, with an anticipated uplift of over £1.4 billion. When operational in 2026, HS2 will reduce travel time between the two cities to just 49 minutes from the current 1 hour and 20 minutes, accelerating local investment, creating 36,000 jobs, and enabling the construction of over 4,000 new homes in Birmingham.

Sarens is proud to partner with Martifer UK on this transformational project, providing mobile and crawler cranes for the offloading, pre-assembly, and installation of steel infrastructure needed for the new Curzon Viaduct. As one of three viaducts on the line’s final approach to Birmingham’s Curzon Street station, the Curzon Viaduct will play a key role in the new railway’s operations, concentrating rail traffic near this critical urban hub.

In addition to crane services, Sarens brings a unique position and expertise to the project, supporting Martifer UK’s documentation and planning processes through close collaboration with the Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) joint venture, the primary construction contractor for the HS2 Birmingham leg. Based on comprehensive pre-studies, Sarens selected a range of cranes for the project, including mobile cranes (30-200 tons), a 100-ton telescopic crawler crane, and lattice boom crawlers (400-750 tons), all carefully tailored to meet the project’s demanding requirements.

Given the proximity constraints on-site, Sarens has implemented a staged and staggered lifting approach. Steel beams are moved from pre-assembly areas and carried to their final locations, ensuring efficient and safe operations within the available space.

The HS2 Curzon Viaducts are not only key infrastructure assets but will also serve as iconic architectural elements. The Curzon No. 2 Viaduct, designed by renowned British artist Liz West, will feature a 25-meter-high truss with vibrant coloirs illuminating the steel apertures, offering an artful view of Birmingham’s skyline by day and night. Titled Out of the Blue, this installation is expected to become a distinctive feature of the city.