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Eleven engineering firms will vie to win a place on a framework to develop the northern section of the HS2 rail line, the firm set up to develop the high-speed project has said.

The firms, including Arup, Atkins and WSP, have been invited to tender for the new Professional Services Framework for the second phase of the planned high speed rail network from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds as well as the spur connection to Heathrow Airport.

The three-year framework will be focused on engineering and environmental work.

According to the original OJEU notice for the work, a maximum of seven firms will be chosen for the framework, which is to be divided into two lots covering engineering and environmental services.

The total value of work tendered through the framework will be worth between £15m and £40m, with up to £30m of work coming through the engineering services lot and up to £10m through the environmental services lot.

However, HS2 will not enter into a professional services framework with the winning bidders until transport secretary Justine Greening publishes her preferred route options for the line in the autumn.

The work includes: architectural services; engineering services and integrated engineering services; urban planning and landscape engineering services; related scientific and technical consulting services; technical testing and analysis services.