Carillion, and Kier announce joint venture partnership for

London: June 23: As amendments to the HS2 hybrid Bill are debated in Parliament today (23 June), , Eiffage and Kier announce their joint venture partnership to support the delivery of the UK’s High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project.

The joint venture brings together three companies with outstanding expertise in the design, , 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 (). Carillion is also delivering substantial elements of the electrification and track renewals programmes across the UK network, as well as infrastructure associated with the 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 three companies 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.

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For more information on Carillion please contact Tony Henderson, Group media relations manager, on 07852134154 or [email protected]

For more information on Eiffage please contact Sophie Mairé, Communications Director, on +33 1 41 32 81 12 or [email protected]

For more information on Kier please contact PR manager Lisa Sanders on 01767 355891 or [email protected]

Notes to editors Board representatives from each company recently visited the Eiffage High Speed Rail project site in Bretagne - Pays de la Loire (BPL), France to mark the start of their joint venture by witnessing current delivery of high speed rail innovation.

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 £4.1bn, employs around 42,000 people and operates across the UK, in the Middle East and Canada. For more information about Carillion, please visit www.carillionplc.com

About Eiffage Eiffage is a one of Europe's leading construction and concessions companies. The Group's activities are organised as seven business lines: construction, real estate, roads, , metal, energy and concessions. Thanks to the experience of more than 66,000 employees, Eiffage generated revenues of €14bn in 2014, including 16% outside France. For more information about Eiffage, please visit www.eiffage.com

About Kier Group is a leading integrated property, residential, construction and services group operating across a range of sectors including defence, education, housing, industrials, power, transport and utilities. The Group employs over 21,000 people worldwide and with a turnover of £3.6bn. For more information about Kier, please visit www.kier.co.uk