Bechtel has begun legal action against HS2 over the tendering process used to award a £1bn contract for Old Oak Common, the station where HS2 meets Crossrail.
The Sunday Times reported yesterday that the US giant was suing the company over the scoring system used to assess the bids.
Bechtel had been shortlisted for the work but last month it lost out to a joint venture between Balfour Beatty, Vinci and Systra.
Other shortlisted teams were from Mace and Dragados, and BAM Nuttall and Ferrovial Agroman, however, Mace and Dragados bid successfully for the London terminus of HS2 at Euston.
Mark Thurston, the chief executive of HS2, said at the time of the awards: "Euston and Old Oak Common are two landmark stations that will help unlock tens of thousands of jobs and new homes across the capital. Together with our Birmingham stations, they will transform the way we travel and set new standards for design, construction and operation."
The legal action is being seen in the UK as another blow to transport secretary Chris Grayling, who is presently under fire after agreeing a £33m settlement with Eurotunnel over the "secretive" way Brexit-related ferry contracts were awarded.
Image: Old Oak Common, where HS2 will interchange with Crossrail (HS2)
Further reading:
