HS2 Infrastructure Maintenance Depot

Situated half-way between London and Birmingham, the HS2 Infrastructure Maintenance Depot, in Calvert, is the main depot for the high-speed network from which maintenance teams and equipment to cover more than 280 miles (450km) of track.

The main functions of the HS2 Infrastructure Maintenance Depot is to plan and manage all the HS2 infrastructure maintenance activities; such as track, overhead power and tunnel maintenance, vegetation management, and drainage and cable inspections for equipment.

Additionally it must store and manage the on-track maintenance machines (OTMs), be a centre for training for the Calvert depot maintenance staff and provide incident support to the main line.

The development of the depot also includes the creation of new public green spaces and footpaths outside of the facility, as well as providing new jobs for the local area. It has been given planning consent and construction works are expected to begin in 2025, and complete in 2028. The depot will open for trial operations from 2029. Operations will build up gradually over a number of years after that.

Depot construction

The Calvert area has seen a great deal of construction work in recent years. We are keen to adopt best practices to reduce the impact of construction and meet our high objectives for sustainable design.

To reduce the impact on the local community, HS2 contractors have built two bridges, one underpass and 3.4km of adjacent earthworks for EWR where the two projects cross. With the large bridges and earthworks handed over, HS2 contractors can now focus on completing the Calvert cutting – which runs roughly north-south and will stretch for more than 2 miles.

Before the depot is constructed, a railhead will be built on the same site. This will allow a lot of the materials needed to construct the HS2 railway and the depot to be transported by train, reducing the number of vehicles on the roads. Once the railhead operation is complete, the site will then be transformed into the permanent depot.

Read more about completion of the EWR works at Calvert.

Depot design

The design seeks to ensure that the HS2 Infrastructure Maintenance Depot connects to the local context, environment and social setting, whilst providing an appropriate and attractive environment for staff working at the depot.

The sustainable design minimises the impression of an industrial site by reducing the scale of the depot as well as blending into the landscape through use of green roofs, naturally aging brick and timber and low reflection metal finishes. To avoid excessive visibility at night glazed façades have been minimised.

Within the vicinity itself, the focus is to create a space that incorporates natural light and air, creating healthy and inspiring spaces for those working at the depot. The landscaping and greening opportunities contribute to the delivery of its sustainability objectives.

The HS2 depot will achieve a minimum of BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. This includes a net zero energy strategy, sourcing of local materials, maximising green infrastructure wherever possible and utilising water harvesting technologies.

The area immediately to the north of the depot has been identified as an opportunity to develop biodiverse wetlands and ecological ponds to form part of the sustainable urban drainage system. The area will be accessible to the public via footpaths that link these new green spaces with the wider landscape.

Design engagement

In June 2022, we held a series of engagement events to showcase the proposed design for the HS2 Infrastructure Maintenance Depot (IMD) and associated landscape and new wildlife habitats.

View our Infrastructure Maintenance Depot information boards

Please watch our Infrastructure Maintenance Depot webinar

View our Infrastructure Maintenance Depot ‘You Said, We Did’ information boards