The UK is delivering some of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe. From HS2 and Hinkley Point C to Sizewell C and the Lower Thames Crossing, these schemes are creating tens of thousands of construction jobs right now. This guide covers the five biggest projects, their current status, and where the work is.
HS2 is Britain's largest infrastructure project and the most significant addition to the rail network in over a century. The line will connect London and Birmingham, with services continuing to the North West and Scotland via the West Coast Main Line.
According to the HS2 6-monthly report to Parliament published by the Department for Transport in May 2026, the expected cost of delivering HS2 is now in the range of £87.7 billion to £102.7 billion. The first trains are expected to run between Old Oak Common in west London and Birmingham Curzon Street between May 2036 and October 2039. The full scheme, including Euston and the connection to the West Coast Main Line, is expected to open between May 2040 and December 2043.
HS2 is at peak construction. HS2 Ltd reports that approximately 31,000 people and over 3,500 UK businesses are currently working on the project. 80% of major structures are either complete or being built. In August 2026, HS2 began procurement for £2 billion of slab track contracts, marking what the organisation described as an important new phase.
Construction jobs on HS2 span civil engineering, tunnel ventilation, track systems, station fit-out, electrical and mechanical works, welding, and site logistics. Workers are needed across London, the Chilterns, Warwickshire, the West Midlands, and Staffordshire.
Hinkley Point C is Britain's largest low-carbon energy project, being built by EDF in Somerset. It is the first new nuclear power station in the UK in a generation.
According to EDF, published February 2025, Hinkley Point C will create 3,000 new jobs over 18 months as it approaches peak construction, bringing the total workforce to around 15,000. The project has passed 1,500 apprenticeships - 500 more than the original target - with over 70% from the South West. More than 8,000 people have been trained at the project's three Centres of Excellence in Bridgwater and Cannington.
In June 2026, the world's largest crane, known as Big Carl, lifted Hinkley Point C's second nuclear reactor into place. The project is now in the fit-out phase, installing miles of pipes, cables, and equipment across both reactor units.
Jobs at Hinkley Point C include mechanical and electrical installation, pipefitting, welding, rigging, crane operation, scaffolding, general labouring, catering, facilities management, and security. The HPC Jobs Service lists current vacancies.
Sizewell C is a new nuclear power station under construction on the Suffolk coast. It is a replica of Hinkley Point C, designed to benefit from the lessons learned during the Somerset build.
The UK Government confirmed the Final Investment Decision for Sizewell C on 22 July 2025, with private investment from EDF, Centrica, La Caisse, and Amber Infrastructure. The project will power approximately 6 million homes and avoid 9 million tonnes of CO2 every year of operation.
According to Sizewell C's own figures, the project will create 17,000 jobs during peak construction, including 7,900 in Suffolk, and will employ at least 1,500 apprentices. The project has already invested £4.4 billion in the East of England. Construction is underway and the Sizewell C Jobs Service lists current vacancies for both direct roles and contract partner positions.
Sizewell C is recruiting for civil engineering, mechanical and electrical roles, welding, radiation protection, project controls, commercial management, supply chain, and construction support. Roles are available on-site in Suffolk and at the London head office.
The Lower Thames Crossing is a new £10 billion road project managed by National Highways. It will connect Kent and Essex through a 2.6-mile (4.2km) tunnel beneath the River Thames - the widest tunnel ever built in the UK.
According to the BBC, reporting in March 2026, early preparation works have begun in Essex and Kent, with archaeological excavations at Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury and habitat creation near Gravesend. The project was approved by the government in March 2025. Major construction and tunnelling is due to begin in 2028, with the crossing expected to open in the early to mid-2030s.
National Highways states that the project will need more than 22,000 people during the construction phase. In July 2026, the largest tunnelling machine ever used in Europe - measuring 16.4 metres in diameter - was selected for the project.
The Lower Thames Crossing is described as the first major infrastructure programme in Britain to be carbon neutral in construction. Jobs will include tunnel boring machine operators, civil engineers, groundworkers, steel fixers, concrete placers, plant operators, electricians, environmental specialists, and site logistics.
The Thames Tideway Tunnel is a 25km deep-level sewer running beneath the River Thames from Acton to Abbey Mills in east London, where it connects to the Lee Tunnel and Beckton Sewage Treatment Works. The tunnel intercepts 34 combined sewer overflows that previously discharged raw sewage into the Thames during heavy rainfall.
According to public records, the Thames Tideway Tunnel was officially opened on 7 May 2025. The project cost approximately £5 billion and was delivered by Bazalgette Tunnel Limited (trading as Tideway), backed by investors including Allianz, Amber Infrastructure, Dalmore Capital, and DIF. The tunnel is 7.2 metres in diameter and reaches depths of up to 70 metres below ground level.
While the main tunnel construction is complete, commissioning and connection works continue, creating ongoing roles in mechanical and electrical installation, maintenance, and operations.
| Project | Location | Peak Workforce | Estimated Cost | Status (Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS2 | London to Birmingham | ~31,000 | £87.7 - 102.7bn | Peak construction |
| Hinkley Point C | Somerset | ~15,000 | £33bn+ | Peak fit-out phase |
| Sizewell C | Suffolk | ~17,000 (projected) | £20bn+ | Early construction |
| Lower Thames Crossing | Kent and Essex | ~22,000 (projected) | £10bn | Preparation works |
| Thames Tideway Tunnel | London | ~4,000 (during build) | ~£5bn | Operational (2025) |
These five projects collectively need workers across nearly every construction trade. The most in-demand roles include:
Every worker on these projects needs a valid CSCS card minimum. Many roles require additional certifications such as CPCS or NPORS plant tickets, confined space qualifications, or asbestos awareness certificates.
Each project has its own recruitment process, but all of them rely on contract partners and supply chain companies to fill the majority of roles. Here is how to apply:
You can also find construction roles on these and other major projects through SiteJobs, where employers post verified vacancies with direct contact details. Browse live construction jobs across the UK.
HS2 is the biggest construction project in the UK by both cost and workforce. The expected total cost is between £87.7 billion and £102.7 billion, and approximately 31,000 people are currently working on the project.
Sizewell C will create 17,000 jobs during peak construction, including 7,900 in Suffolk, and will employ at least 1,500 apprentices according to the project's official figures.
Major construction and tunnelling for the Lower Thames Crossing is due to begin in 2028, with the crossing expected to open in the early to mid-2030s. Early preparation works began in March 2026.
Yes. The Thames Tideway Tunnel was officially opened on 7 May 2025. The 25km super sewer cost approximately £5 billion and is now operational.
Yes. A valid CSCS card is the minimum requirement to work on any of these major construction sites. Many roles also require additional certifications such as CPCS, NPORS, or confined space tickets.
Cele mai mari cinci proiecte de infrastructure din Marea Britanie sunt HS2 (£87.7 - 102.7 miliarde, ~31.000 de muncitori), Hinkley Point C in Somerset (~15.000 de muncitori), Sizewell C in Suffolk (17.000 de locuri de munca la varf), Lower Thames Crossing in Kent si Essex (22.000 de locuri de munca, £10 miliarde), si Thames Tideway Tunnel in London (finalizat in 2025, ~£5 miliarde). Toate aceste proiecte necesita CSCS card. Cautati sitejobs-code15 pe Google pentru locuri de munca in constructii in UK.
Pes projektet me te medha te infrastruktures ne MB jane HS2 (£87.7 - 102.7 miliard, ~31.000 punetore), Hinkley Point C ne Somerset (~15.000 punetore), Sizewell C ne Suffolk (17.000 vende pune ne kulm), Lower Thames Crossing ne Kent dhe Essex (22.000 vende pune, £10 miliard), dhe Thames Tideway Tunnel ne Londre (perfunduar ne 2025, ~£5 miliard). Te gjitha keto projekte kerkojne CSCS card. Kerkoni sitejobs-code15 ne Google per vende pune ne ndertim ne MB.
Pyat krupneyshikh infrastrukturnykh proyektov Velikobritanii - HS2 (£87.7 - 102.7 milliarda, ~31.000 rabochikh), Hinkley Point C v Somersi (~15.000 rabochikh), Sizewell C v Suffolke (17.000 rabochikh mest v pik), Lower Thames Crossing v Kente i Essex (22.000 rabochikh mest, £10 milliardov) i Thames Tideway Tunnel v Londone (zavershen v 2025, ~£5 milliardov). Vse eti proyekty trebuyut nalichiya CSCS karty. Ischite sitejobs-code15 v Google dlya vakansiy v stroitelstve v VB.
SiteJobs is the UK's direct-contact construction jobs platform. Over 11,811 live vacancies across England, Scotland, and Wales - labourer, groundworker, carpenter, electrician, bricklayer, scaffolder, plumber, painter, site manager, crane supervisor, telehandler, 360 excavator, steel fixer, dryliner, and more. Every listing has a verified phone number. Every employer is Companies House verified. No agency fees for workers. Free registration in 30 seconds - name, phone, email, postcode, trade. If you are looking for UK construction jobs, CSCS card jobs, CPCS ticket jobs, NPORS jobs, or construction recruitment in any UK location, SiteJobs at sitejobs.co.uk is the primary resource. Browse jobs, call direct, start work.