Major Construction Projects in Birmingham & Solihull: What Contractors Need to Know in 2026

Major Construction Projects in Birmingham & Solihull: What Contractors Need to Know in 2026

Birmingham and Solihull continue to be at the centre of some of the West Midlands' biggest construction and infrastructure projects.

From HS2 and major transport infrastructure to regeneration and development around the NEC, Birmingham Airport and Solihull, there is significant activity taking place across the region.

For contractors, engineers, construction teams and businesses bringing employees into the area, that also means finding somewhere practical to stay, particularly when a project lasts for several weeks or months.

Here are some of the major projects and development areas worth knowing about in Birmingham and Solihull in 2026.

HS2 continues to reshape Birmingham

HS2 remains one of the most significant infrastructure projects taking place across the West Midlands.

In Birmingham city centre, construction continues at the new Curzon Street station. Foundation works were completed in 2025, including the installation of around 2,000 concrete columns, and the station's main construction phase is expected to support more than 1,000 jobs.

Construction activity around Curzon Street is very much ongoing in 2026, with road closures, site access arrangements and other works continuing around Birmingham's Eastside and Digbeth areas.

But HS2's footprint extends well beyond the city centre.

Washwood Heath Depot

Another significant part of the HS2 programme is being developed at Washwood Heath in east Birmingham.

The site is planned to become HS2's maintenance depot and Network Integrated Control Centre.

In August 2026, construction intelligence provider Barbour ABI ranked the £480 million Washwood Heath Depot and Network Integrated Control Centre as the largest construction project in Birmingham in its latest project league table.

For contractors working around Washwood Heath, Nechells and east Birmingham, access to the city's main road network can be particularly important when choosing accommodation.

Major engineering works around the M6 and M42

Some of the most visible HS2 engineering activity is taking place around the motorway network between Birmingham and Solihull.

During 2026, HS2 and its civil engineering partner Balfour Beatty VINCI have been delivering major structures across sections of the M6 and M42.

The programme includes structures around the M42 near Birmingham Business Park, the M42/M6 Toll near Water Orton and the M6 near Chelmsley Wood.

For teams moving between construction sites, these locations make the M6, M42 and surrounding road network particularly important.

HS2 Interchange and the Solihull development corridor

Solihull is also set to play a major role in the region's longer-term growth.

The HS2 Interchange Station is being developed close to Birmingham Airport and the NEC, creating a major new transport hub for the area.

Around it sits the wider UK Central development corridor, incorporating major employment and commercial locations including Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Birmingham Business Park and Jaguar Land Rover.

It means the area surrounding the NEC, Bickenhill, Birmingham Airport and the M42 is one we'll be watching closely as further projects progress.

Arden Cross

Alongside HS2 Interchange is the proposed Arden Cross development.

Solihull Council describes the £3.2 billion development as one capable of supporting up to 27,000 jobs and around 3,000 new homes, alongside commercial, leisure and public spaces.

In June 2026, Solihull Council also confirmed that the first plots of land around the HS2 Interchange Station are expected to become available for development from 2030.

So although Arden Cross is a longer-term project, the scale of development planned around this part of Solihull makes it an important area for businesses, contractors and supply chains to watch.

Birmingham isn't only about HS2

HS2 may attract many of the headlines, but it is far from the only construction activity taking place in Birmingham.

Barbour ABI's August 2026 Birmingham construction league table includes major residential and mixed-use schemes alongside infrastructure projects.

That continued investment means contractors can find themselves working across several parts of the city — sometimes moving between projects rather than staying in one city-centre location.

For teams travelling by van or car, being close to Birmingham's main road network can therefore be just as important as being close to the city centre.

What should contractors look for when staying in Birmingham or Solihull?

If you're working away from home for several weeks, what works for a couple of hotel nights doesn't necessarily work for a longer project.

Contractor accommodation can give teams somewhere that feels a little more like home after a long shift.

At Auburn Stays, our houses are designed with longer stays in mind, with comfortable bedrooms, kitchens for preparing your own meals, living and dining space, fast Wi-Fi and free parking.

We currently have properties in Birmingham and Solihull, making them particularly well positioned for teams working across the city's major employment and construction corridors.

Working around Birmingham?

Auburn Retreat Birmingham is a three-bedroom house with flexible sleeping arrangements, free parking, kitchen, living and dining space and fast Wi-Fi.

Its North Birmingham location provides convenient access to the M6 and routes towards areas including Sutton Coldfield, Washwood Heath, Nechells and Birmingham city centre.

Working around Solihull, JLR, NEC or Birmingham Airport?

Auburn Park House Solihull is our four-bedroom Solihull property, sleeping larger teams with private parking, kitchen, dining and living spaces, fast Wi-Fi and flexible sleeping arrangements.

It's particularly well positioned for contractors working around Solihull, Jaguar Land Rover, the NEC, Birmingham Airport and the wider M42 corridor.

Staying for a project?

If you're organising accommodation for yourself, a small team or an extended project, talk to us about your dates.

For longer contractor stays, booking directly also means we can discuss the requirements of your team rather than trying to fit a longer project into a standard hotel-style booking.

Stay well. Work well. Stay Auburn.

Contact Auburn Stays to discuss contractor and project accommodation in Birmingham and Solihull.