Ayesa-Egis JV Secures HS2 Track Systems Design for 140 Miles in UK

Ayesa-Egis JV Awarded HS2 Track Systems Design Contract

The Ayesa–Egis Joint Venture has been appointed to provide engineering and systems integration support for the United Kingdom’s High Speed 2 (HS2) project. The scope covers the majority of the 140-mile (approx. 225 km) route between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street. As of early March 2026, the JV will support the delivery of three main line work packages: Track Urban, Open Route Central, and Open Route North.

Project Scope and Technical Mandate

The joint venture’s primary function is to provide multidisciplinary design and assurance services to the main contractor, the Ferrovial BAM consortium. The technical mandate is focused on the complexities of high-speed rail infrastructure, including the design of slab track systems, management of interfaces at tunnels and bridges, and overall systems integration. This work is critical to the main rail delivery programme for Phase One of HS2.

Ayesa and Egis will apply methodologies and standards from established European high-speed networks, specifically referencing their experience with France’s TGV and Spain’s AVE systems. The objective is to ensure the design is resilient, safe, and meets the performance specifications required for a high-capacity, high-availability rail corridor. The work packages assigned to the JV constitute the largest portion of the track installation for the London-to-Birmingham line. Specific financial details and the duration of the engineering support contract were not disclosed.

Strategic Context and Market Pressures

This appointment is a key step in delivering the UK’s national rail strategy, which positions HS2 as the core of a modernized north-south transport spine. The new line is designed to relieve capacity constraints on the congested West Coast Main Line by migrating long-distance, high-speed passenger services, thereby freeing up paths for additional freight and local/regional passenger trains on the existing network.

The project proceeds within a challenging recruitment environment for the UK rail sector. Verified industry data from Q1 2026 indicates increasing competition for experienced design engineers, commercial staff, and project leaders. This market pressure, driven by a shrinking talent pool and multiple concurrent infrastructure projects, has the potential to influence project timelines and escalate salary costs. The ability of contractors and their engineering partners to secure and retain specialized personnel will be a key factor in managing project delivery schedules and budgets.

Corporate Directives

Executives from the involved entities have aligned on the strategic objectives for the contract. Jose V Candel, Lead Technical Director for Ferrovial BAM, identified the partnership as essential for delivering a high-performing rail corridor that meets stringent standards for safety and efficiency. Ayesa’s leadership, including Luis Sanchez Carreto and Rob Sizer, emphasized the application of the firm’s global high-speed rail experience to deliver on-time design solutions. Similarly, Tim Galvani and Andy Parker of Egis in the UK highlighted the combination of international expertise with local delivery teams to ensure collaborative execution.

Next Steps

The Ayesa-Egis JV will now integrate with the Ferrovial BAM delivery team to advance the detailed design and assurance processes for the specified track sections. The progression of this work will align with the main construction schedule for the HS2 Phase One corridor.