Washwood Heath Depot and Network Integrated Control Centre
What the depot does
Washwood Heath Depot will be the operational hub of HS2, providing a base for the maintenance, servicing and storage of trains when they are not in operation.
The depot will bring significant economic benefits to the region, creating more than 550 jobs during construction and supporting around 1,000 highly skilled long-term roles once operational.
As the heart of the HS2 network, the facility will play a vital role in keeping Britain’s new high-speed railway running safely and reliably.
Transforming Birmingham’s industrial heritage
The Washwood Heath site features three key facilities: the Maintenance Building, the Network Integrated Control Centre (NICC), and the Cleaners and Drivers Building. Together, they have been designed to showcase engineering excellence while providing sustainable, high-quality workplaces with dedicated outdoor spaces for staff wellbeing.
Spanning 70 hectares on the former LDV and Metro-Cammell works site, the development is transforming a long-disused brownfield site into the operational heart of HS2 and a major new employment hub for Birmingham.
Delivered by the Taylor Woodrow Infrastructure and Aureos Rail joint venture (TWA JV), the project represents an investment of around £856 million and will support more than 1,000 jobs, creating a lasting legacy for the region while helping to power Britain’s new high-speed railway.
What the buildings do
Maintenance building
The maintenance building is the main hub where we’ll maintain the HS2 train fleet. It includes:
- office space
- workshops
- staff facilities
- storage for materials and equipment
Around 250 staff will work here, including facilities management, fleet management, production, cleaning and depot drivers.
Network Integrated Control Centre
The NICC will oversee the whole HS2 network. This standalone building will manage the operational and control functions for HS2. Over 100 staff will be based here.
Cleaners and drivers building
Located in the west of the depot, this building will house facilities for train servicing teams and driver training. It connects to the stabling yard area, where trains will be cleaned and prepared for passenger service. Around 200 staff will be based here.
Stabling yard
The stabling yard on the west side of the depot is where trains will be parked when not in operation.
Building the depot
We’ve completed demolition and groundworks to prepare the site for construction. We’ve also reached a milestone by excavating over one million cubic metres of earth.
We cleaned and reused this material to level the ground, ready for detailed design and construction of the depot and control centre.
Preparing to build the Washwood Heath Depot
Designing the depot
The buildings maximise natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.
We’re using sustainable features including:
- solar roof panels
- rainwater harvesting from building roofs
- sustainable drainage
- renewable energy
- low carbon materials
- intelligent lighting
We’ve designed dedicated routes for pedestrians and cyclists that will connect with Birmingham’s future transport network. As well as car parks, the depot includes:
- electric vehicle charging points
- cycle and motorcycle parking
- parking for people with limited mobility
- taxi and delivery vehicle drop-off zones
Slide 1 of 10: Artist's impression showing view of Washwood Heath Depot and NICC.
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Slide 7 of 10: Artist's impression showing view of Washwood Heath Depot and NICC.
Slide 8 of 10: Artist's impression showing view of Washwood Heath Depot and NICC.
Slide 9 of 10: Artist's impression showing view of Washwood Heath Depot and NICC.
Slide 10 of 10: Artist's impression showing view of Washwood Heath Depot and NICC.
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