HS2 has revealed the first images of its state-of-the-art Infrastructure Maintenance Depot (IMD) at Calvert in Buckinghamshire.

The style of local agricultural buildings and the area’s industrial heritage of the area was the inspiration behind the design.

It will house the people and equipment that will keep the first phase of HS2 running smoothly and efficiently, day in, day out, and bring around 180 jobs to the area.

Positioned halfway between Calvert and Steeple Claydon, where HS2 will cross the rebuilt East-West Rail line, the depot will include workshops, offices, storage, and training facilities, and a base for the British Transport Police.

The main buildings will be clad with naturally-aging red brick, reflecting its link with Calvert brickworks which operated throughout most of the twentieth century before closing in 1991. To reduce the visual impact of the buildings, the design includes gently curved roofs, timber, and low-reflection metal finishes.

A large area of landscaping and woodland will screen the depot from the nearby village of Steeple Claydon. Around 15,000 trees and 20,000 shrubs will be planted amid new woodland paths, ponds, and other wildlife habitats.

Once it is operational, the depot will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A fleet of dedicated On-Track Maintenance trains will be based at the depot to maintain the track and systems and will operate at night while HS2 trains are not running. There will also be connections to East-West Rail to allow heavy equipment and materials to be delivered to the depot by rail.

The depot is being designed by HS2’s design contractor WSP, working with architects Grimshaw and Grant Associates. The earthworks are being delivered by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB, a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall, whilst a separate contractor will be appointed to build the depot.

In order to speed up construction and cut disruption for the community, during the design process the size of the depot was reduced by 33% with the track layout reduced and simplified. Th smaller footprint also means that 600,000 cubic metres less excavation will be required.

Iain Smith, HS2 Ltd’s Systems Delivery Director said:

“HS2 will dramatically improve connectivity and rail capacity while offering zero-carbon journeys from day one. The maintenance depot at Calvert will be at the heart of that operation – keeping the new railway running smoothly every day. That’s why it’s great to see the new designs and I look forward to hearing the feedback from the local community.”

You can find out more about the depot project in a special document available from the HS2 website.