Three companies have been invited by HS2 to tender for a major contract to provide and maintain station control systems that will give trains approval to depart platforms at the four new stations.

Hitachi Rail GTS UK Ltd, Indra Sistemas SA and Siemens Mobility Limited are the three companies that have been invited to tender.

Cameras that are linked to central control rooms will monitor platforms at London Euston, Old Oak Common, Interchange and Birmingham Curzon Street to ensure passengers have boarded safely before trains can depart.

Platform Edge Doors will be installed at Old Oak Common and Interchange (procured separately to this announcement). A team of dispatchers at each station will monitor the cameras and use the train dispatch system to give authority for a train to depart.

At terminus stations, platform edge doors will now be provided by approval will be sent directly to the train by the train dispatch system.

“HS2 will transform journeys between London, Birmingham and the north, boosting regional growth and freeing up space on the existing network for more freight and local services.

“Train Dispatch Systems will play a vital role in the operation of our services – ensuring efficient and safe dispatch of the HS2 trains from our new stations. It’s great to see so much interest in these contracts and I look forward to working with the team to ensure we are able to deliver the best quality and value for the project.”

HS2 Ltd’s Procurement Director, Andew Cubitt