Already significant progress has been made on the site of the new station ahead of appointing builders.

Enabling contractors Laing O’Rourke and Murphy are clearing the site for construction to start, and utility diversions are set to begin in the summer.

The world’s oldest railway roundhouse designed by Robert Stephenson around 1837 was unearthed at the construction site

A massive archaeological programme, involving 70 archaeologists, has unearthed the world’s oldest railway roundhouse.

Prequalification of firms to build the £575m station project has already started, with invitation to tender set to be launched in the summer.

Procurement chiefs have opted for a two-stage bid process for the first time to nail down the cost of delivering the project.

HS2 is aiming to create one of the most environmentally-friendly railway stations in the world – delivering net zero carbon in operation.

Consultant WSP and Grimshaw Architects have finalised the design for Curzon Street, which will be the first brand new intercity terminus station built in Britain since the 19th century.

The design adopts the latest eco-friendly design and sustainable technologies including capturing rainwater and sustainable power generation, with over 2800m2 of solar panels located on platform canopies.

It is designed to meet a ‘BREEAM excellent’ standard.

Matthew Botelle, HS2’s Stations Director said: “Eco-friendly innovations are a fundamental part of our plans, with the station designed to achieve zero carbon emissions from day-to-day energy consumption.

“This makes it highly efficient by generating energy through a range of different technologies to maximise natural resources such as sunlight and water.”