An Oldbury-based construction firm has won a prestigious conservation contract worth more than £400k as part of the preparatory work for the UK’s HS2 railway network.

Currall Lewis and Martin Construction Ltd (CLM), which specialises in civil engineering, bridge building and conservation projects (and was a #madeinsandwell Monday star company last year), worked closely with Sandwell Council’s business growth team in the early stages of securing the contract. The firm accessed support with early project involvement, procurement processes and work-winning initiatives such as BIM (building information modelling).

As you probably know, HS2 stands for High Speed 2 and is a planned high-speed railway network to link London, Birmingham, the East Midlands, Leeds and Manchester. Part of the preparations for HS2 include the creation of wildlife habitats along the linear route to provide suitable accommodation for indigenous wildlife, including endangered species such as bats.

The contract won by CLM includes the construction of a bat house in conjunction with LM, a joint venture between Laing O’Rourke and J. Murphy & Sons (selected as HS2’s enabling works contractor for the northern section of the line).

Bat populations are slow growing and at increased threat of habitat loss. Bat houses give female bats a safe and warm place to raise young.

Thanks to this contract win, a Sandwell business will thrive too. It is also hoped that the business won by CLM and others will generate a demand for materials and sub-contract processes further down the supply chain, helping to create and sustain jobs, apprenticeships and other opportunities – including in BIM training.

CLM’s managing director Ron Pinfield believes that having the opportunity to engage with design decision-makers during one of Sandwell Council’s ‘meet the buyer’ events was pivotal to CLM’s success.

“We’ve always found Sandwell Council’s supply chain initiatives have given us great impetus. Their efforts in creating an opportunity gateway to alert suppliers to prospective business through the HVM City Procurement Portal, and enabling local firms to meet with main contractors at the pre-award stage of major projects such as HS2, have proved to be invaluable to small firms like ours.”

Councillor Paul Moore, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic investment, spoke of the council’s progressive business engagement strategy.

“We are keen to help businesses connect with potential buyers, gain insight into forthcoming developments, build knowledge and become better equipped to win contracts on flagship regeneration projects in the Midlands,” he said. “It’s great to learn about a Sandwell firm such as CLM winning business on this iconic rail transportation project”.

Congratulations to CLM! Your business can benefit too from Sandwell Council’s business support: get in touch today using our contact form, call 0121 569 2121 or visit our procurement opportunities page.