Atkins has secured the £125m programme control role in Hs2’s new Commercial Delivery and Controls Framework while Gleeds Cost Management has secured the £104.5m commercial management role.

Throughout the eight-year framework duration, HS2 will award work packages to Atkins and Gleeds as requirements are identified across multiple organisation-wide workstreams.

The award follows the Oakervee review which warned last year of a “considerable risk” that costs would rise by another 20% to £106bn from the current estimates of £80bn to £88bn.

It also raised alarm bells over the project’s management.

It is anticipated that work package durations may range from a number of months up to several years.

Atkins will support baseline management, programme planning, reporting and risk management.

It will also supply cost and estimating services as part of a deal, including supporting the cost management process across the HS2 project.

Gleeds will provide commercial management services, including pre-contract development and post-contract management support.

The cost consultant will also review and validate costs presented by HS2’s supply chain and ensure commercial compliance with contractual agreements.