Austria’s largest construction firm Strabag will build the facility to fulfil a 36,000 segment contract for its joint venture with Costain Skanska delivering twin bored tunnels from HS2’s new Old Oak Common station to Green Parkway running underneath Northolt.

To be located at Hartlepool Dock, owned and operated by PD Ports, construction of the new factory will begin in January 2022 to start production of 6-tonne precast concrete tunnel segments by December 2022.

Work will start by redeveloping the exterior land parcel to suit the segment storage requirements and rail logistics platform.

Former oil rig fabrication site at Hartlepool Port

Then focus will turn to the internal fit-out which will house an advanced automated segment carousel and reinforcement hall.

Robots will also be controlled by telemetry to produce the high quality reinforcement cages required for each segment.

HS2’s chief commercial officer, Ruth Todd, said: “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.”

Andrew Dixon, Commercial Director at Strabag said: “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.”

The contract is the second of two for precast concrete tunnel segments for HS2’s London tunnels.

Pacadar UK will be delivering 58,000 segments for the first London tunnel being constructed between West Ruislip and Green Park Way, in Ealing. The combined length of HS2’s London tunnels being constructed by SCS JV is 26miles, the same length as Crossrail.