An old oil rig fabrication site on Hartlepool Dock is set to be a new HS2 Factory bringing more than 100 new jobs to the local area

Costain Skanska STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV) who are HS2’s Main Works Civils Contractor have been awarded a second contract to create precast tunnel segments to STRABAG who have now revealed they will be opening a factory in Hartlepool to undertake the work.

36,000 concrete segments will be produced by STRABAG for the twin bored tunnels which run underneath London from HS2’s new Old Oak Common station to Green Parkway running underneath Northolt.

The new factory will be owned and run by PD Ports at Hartlepool Dock with the new facility employing more than 100 people. The positions created by the factory will bring new skilled job opportunities for the local area whilst the project is ongoing. New jobs could also be created and maintained in the additional supply chain contracts which will support the manufacture and supply of tunnel segments

HS2 Minister, Andrew Stephenson MP said: “This landmark contract to build a new factory in Hartlepool to manufacture items for HS2 shows building back better in action, giving new life to a vacant site and bringing over 100 new skilled jobs to the area.

“Companies across the North East are already benefiting from being part of HS2’s vast supply chain, with 400,000 supply chain contract opportunities expected on Phase One alone.”

The HS2 Minister visited the factory site in Hartlepool on Monday the 11th of October and was also joined by Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, and Hartlepool MP, Jill Mortimer.

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, said: “I’m delighted STRABAG is investing in Hartlepool to build a state-of-the-art production facility to manufacture concrete tunnel segments. Not only is this significant investment going to create 100 skilled, well-paid jobs for local workers, it will also breathe new life into a vacant piece of land at PD Ports; bringing it back into productive use. This is just the latest investment in Teesside by STRABAG who have already created a significant number of jobs at their tunnel lining facility in Wilton for the Woodsmith Mine project.”

The position of the factory features excellent connectivity by both rail and sea and will be well used beyond HS2 for both domestic and international projects.

HS2’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ruth Todd, said: “The award of this contract is another important milestone towards the start of HS2’s tunnelling operations in London. The decision to manufacture the segments not only in the UK, but in a new facility in the North East, is another demonstration of how HS2 is having a positive impact on regional economies across the UK and helping the country to build back better after the pandemic.”

Work will being on the new factoring during January 2022 with the production of precast concrete tunnel segments starting as soon as December 2022. All of the 36,000 tunnel segments will be transported from the factory by rail, with the first freight train delivery expected at the Willesden Euro terminal logistics hub in April 2023.

Skanska Costain STRABAG joint ventures’ Managing Director James Richardson said: “STRABAG’s Hartlepool and PACADAR’s Kent facilities are both key to the delivery of the HS2 tunnels in London. Tunnel segment rings will be produced in Hartlepool and loaded on to freight trains and delivered by rail to our newly opened Logistics Hub at Willesden Junction. These huge tunnel segments, each weighing seven tonnes, will be then transported to the tunnel boring machine. This is a game-changer in how we move forward in the construction industry and is a significant step towards net zero carbon emissions in transport.”

Andrew Dixon, Commercial Director at STRABAG said: “We are excited to be producing HS2’s tunnel segments here in Hartlepool with its excellent rail and port infrastructure. It allows us to deliver the segments to the HS2 logistics terminal near Willesden Junction efficiently whilst reducing the number of vehicles on the road and our environmental impact. This new production facility in Hartlepool and our existing precast factory in Wilton for the Woodsmith Mine project underline our long-term commitment to the region: as a result, another 100 skilled jobs will be created for the local community and many more through our supply chain. We are eager to start production and welcome our new employees to the team.”

PD Ports CEO, Frans Calje, said: “After more than 18 months’ worth of discussions, we’re absolutely delighted to welcome STRABAG to Hartlepool Dock as the base for its new manufacturing facility to supply concrete tunnel rings to the HS2 development. We’re very much looking forward to working with STRABAG as they play an integral part in the HS2 development, which, when delivered, will be an enabler for opening up the national rail network and increasing opportunities for freight movements trans-pennine, something PD Ports, alongside industry partners, has lobbied hard for with central government for a number of years.”

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