Network Rail have unveiled the first images (see above) of its groundbreaking new national centre which will bring up to 3,000 jobs to Milton Keynes.

The proposed building which is due to open in 2012 will be located near Milton Keynes Central railway station on the site of the former national hockey stadium, which will be demolished later this year.
The five shortlisted firms for the project are:

Balfour Beatty
BAM
Laing O’Rourke
Skanska
Sir Robert McAlpine

These firms now have until the end of October to submit their tender proposals. The contract will be finally awarded in August 2010, with work due to start shortly thereafter. The total value of the construction contract is valued between £75m and £120m.

Iain Coucher, Chief Executive from Network Rail said: “Milton Keynes is going places and we are keen to be part of it. We have got an exciting design for the new centre which will be one of the greenest buildings in the country and a stunning addition to central Milton Keynes.”

Network Rail is inviting people to find out more about the opportunities and other benefits for Milton Keynes at a series of exhibitions. At these events, members of the public will be able to speak with people working on the project, ask them questions and give their thoughts about our plans. Network Rail can then take this into account before submitting its planning application in early November.

Network Rail is aiming to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating for the centre. The design for the new building includes a host of eco-friendly features which will encourage diverse habitats for flora and fauna in the centre of the town and a rainwater harvesting system which will be used to flush toilets. BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) is the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings. It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design and has become the de facto measure used to describe a building's environmental performance.

Network Rail plans to recycle material from the national hockey stadium and, wherever possible, materials will be sourced locally cutting the number of lorries and further reducing the carbon footprint of the building.
Network Rail will be showcasing its plans at the following locations:

Tuesday, 8 September
Midsummer Place (near Pret a Manger)
10am-5pm

Saturday, 12 September
thecentre:mk (near M&S)
10am-5pm

Monday, 14 September
Midsummer Place (near Pret a Manger)
10am-5pm

Wednesday, 16 September
thecentre:mk (near M&S)
10am-5pm