The joint venture brings together three companies with outstanding expertise in the design, construction, operation, financing and maintenance of railway networks in Europe, including high speed rail systems and their associated infrastructure.

Carillion has delivered numerous major rail infrastructure projects and long-term rail maintenance contracts in the UK, including the construction and maintenance of Channel Tunnel Rail Link (High Speed 1). Carillion is also delivering substantial elements of the electrification and track renewals programmes across the UK network, as well as infrastructure associated with the Crossrail project and Reading Station redevelopment.

Eiffage is currently constructing the Bretagne to Pays de la Loire project, one of Europe's latest high speed rail projects, which is due for completion in May 2017. This €3bn Public Private Partnership project follows on from Eiffage's involvement in the successful delivery of the Perpignan to Figueras HSR route.

Kier is a major delivery partner on the £16bn Crossrail project, Europe's biggest current rail project, and has also delivered a wide range of major infrastructure projects across the UK. Kier is currently constructing the new £450m six-lane toll bridge over the River Mersey as part of the Mersey Gateway scheme and is delivering the site preparation works at the £24.5bn Hinkley Point C project.

Carillion chief executive, Richard Howson, said: "We are delighted to announce the formation of this new joint venture that brings together threecompanies with world-class skills and resources, and an absolute focus on safety and quality, which will be required for the successful delivery of the High Speed 2 programme. We look forward to working together to support the delivery of HS2, which is a vital addition to the UK rail network."

Eiffage chairman and CEO, Pierre Berger, said: "Eiffage is looking forward to working with our UK partners, Carillion and Kier, bringing the latest design and construction expertise from continental Europe to support the successful delivery of this new High Speed Rail route that will stimulate growth in the UK economy in the way similar schemes are in Europe."

Haydn Mursell, chief executive, Kier says: "It is excellent to be able to bring together the combined talents and expertise of three major infrastructure partners, to provide a highly experienced delivery solution for HS2. The government has signalled its ongoing commitment to the project, in the recent Queen's Speech and with today's revisions to the HS2 hybrid Bill, so the formation of this joint venture is well timed to respond to the progression of what will be the country's largest infrastructure project to date."

Shortlisted contenders for the first set of tenders are expected to be invited to bid in September.

About Carillion
Carillion is a leading integrated support services company with a substantial portfolio of Public Private Partnership projects and extensive construction capabilities.

The Group had annual revenue in 2014 of some £4.1 billion, employs around 42,000 people and operates across the UK, in the Middle East and Canada.

The Group has four business segments:

Support services - this includes facilities management, facilities services, energy services, utility services, road maintenance, rail services and consultancy businesses in the UK, Canada and the Middle East.

Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects - this includes investing activities in PPP projects for Government buildings
and infrastructure, mainly in the Defence, Health, Education, Transport and Secure accommodation sectors.

Middle East construction services - this includes our building and civil engineering activities in the Middle East.

Construction services (excluding the Middle East) - this includes building, civil engineering and developments activities in the UK and construction activities in Canada.

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