telegraph.co.uk
UK-based infrastructure group Mace has attacked the tendering process of the High Speed 2 project as “seriously flawed” after US engineering firm CH2M Hill pulled out of the contract last week amid allegations of cronyism.
After a stormy meeting with HS2 on Friday, it is understood the company is pressing for a re-tender to begin. A spokesman for Mace said HS2 seemed “dead set” on defending a process that “many would say is further called into question after CH2M’s surprise decision to quit”.
“We continue to look closely at our options, and remain hopeful that HS2 will come to their senses.”
In February, CH2M was awarded the £170m Phase 2B deal to design parts of the line. It pull out last week after Mace threatened legal action, claiming a conflict of interest.n 26 years of working on some of the most iconic projects around the UK and the world, we have never yet taken a case to the High Court, and would not take any decision lightly,” the Mace spokesman added.
MPs have promised to scrutinise close links between staff at HS2 and CH2M Hill, after it was found the latter has almost 100 staff in HS2 offices.
Sources suggest that second-place bidder, Bechtel, will now be awarded the contract, as a re-tender would cause severe delays to the HS2 project.
