Competition watchdog intervenes in HS2 tender race

The UK competition watchdog has raised concern about the tender process for HS2 overhead catenary works in the light of Bouygues’ planned £6bn deal to buy rival Equans.
Companies from each of the French-owned groups are in the final stages of separately bidding for the £300m overhead power lines package.
Four bidders are in the chase including Bouygues-owned Colas Rail, Rapide JV – a consortium of Equans-owned SPL Powerlines UK/INEO and Keltbray – Balfour Beatty, an