Contracts for tunnel fit-out, overhead catenary systems and communications installation have all been put out to tender in the last few weeks.

Combined they are worth more than £1bn, with the tunnel fit-out contract valued at £498M, while both the overhead catenary systems job and the communications contract are priced at £300M each.

All contracts cover phase one of the line between London and Birmingham, and have the option to extend to cover phase 2a to Crewe.

It comes after the government gave notice to proceed, paving the way for construction of phase one.

The project promoter has also announced a huge recruitment drive as it ramps up towards main construction on phase one. 500 new jobs have been put out to the market across a range of disciplines, from engineering and project management to land and property, procurement and commercial.

Over 300 of the roles will be based in Birmingham, West Midlands, and the new roles announced today will push the total number of jobs the project has supported to over 10,000 once recruited.

HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “These jobs are a welcome boost for workers across the country at this challenging time, providing the opportunity to play a crucial part in delivering HS2, an integral part of improving connectivity and levelling up our country.

“We continue to work with the transport and construction industry to accelerate projects, where safely possible, to kickstart our economy, provide more employment opportunities and drive our recovery as we build out of Covid-19.”

Later this year, HS2 Ltd is also expected to launch procurement on its high voltage power supply contract, as well as starting the hunt for contractors to work at the Washwood heath depot.

Contracts relating to phase 2a civils (Main Works Design and Delivery Partner) and construction of Birmingham Interchange are also due to go out to tender later this year.