Plans have been approved for the new HS2 depot in Washwood Heath.
The site will be where the high speed trains are maintained, serviced and stored when not in use.
Planning permission for the depot was granted by Birmingham City Council today (2nd February).
Richard Kirkham, from HS2, said: “We’re pleased that theplanning committee has approved our plans for the HS2 depot at Washwood Heath, marking a significant milestone for HS2 in the Midlands.
“Over 550 jobs will be created by the Depot’s operations in a range of disciplines including facilities management, fleet management, production, depot drivers and cleaning.
“We’re working closely with Birmingham City Council and other stakeholders to maximise these job opportunities for people in the local area.”
When constructed, the facility will house a maintenance building, a stabling yard for trains and a control centre for the HS2 network.
Kay Hughes, HS2’s design director, added: “Good, functional design has been a vital part of developing the plans for the depot, including ensuring this new large-scale facility contributes to improving a significant area on the outskirts of Birmingham, and streamlining operations for the railway.
“Our design team have worked closely with the council to make sure we deliver the right design for the local area, which we can all be proud of.”
Work has already taken place at the Washwood Heath site to demolish building and carry out preparatory groundworks so construction can begin.
