The HS2 rail project has faced renewed criticism after new estimates pushed costs up by billions and delayed the opening of the route. The troubled high-speed railway has raised concerns that Britain is becoming a laughingstock due to years of delays and ballooning costs, while passengers continue to wait for rail improvements.
Transport Secretary's Announcement
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced yesterday that the project, which she inherited from the previous government, will be completed sometime between 2036 and 2039. This is a significant delay from the initial estimated opening of 2033. Meanwhile, trains from Euston to Birmingham Curzon Street may not be running until 2043.
Revised Cost Estimates
HS2 Ltd, the government-owned company building the railway, estimated in June last year that the project would cost between £54 billion and £66 billion. However, the latest figures have revised this to between £87.7 billion and £102.7 billion in 2025 prices. The Transport Secretary has previously confirmed that the cancelled northern legs will not be reinstated because 'we can’t afford [it].'
Speaking in the Commons yesterday, Alexander also addressed questions about scrapping the project altogether, stating that cancellation would now cost nearly as much as completing it and would leave the UK dotted with abandoned relics. Last year, she launched an investigation into the project as part of the HS2 'reset,' with HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild and chair Mike Brown tasked to comb through spending and contracts. This process was described as 'like changing the engine of the aeroplane mid-flight.' Following the review, the HS2 organisation has been trimmed down, leading to the removal of 300 back-office roles, while supply chain contracts are being reassessed to cut any hidden costs.
HS2 Route and Stations
HS2 will run from Euston through Old Oak Common in west London to the West Midlands. New stations will be built in Solihull, near Birmingham International Airport, and at Birmingham Curzon Street. The project was originally meant to extend to Manchester and Leeds, but in 2023 the Conservative government axed the northern leg due to spiralling costs, much to the dismay of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who called the move 'profoundly depressing.'
For years, uncertainty surrounded the extension of HS2 from Old Oak Common to Euston. However, in October 2024, the extension was confirmed in the autumn budget, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves committing money for the Euston tunnelling works. Plans are also being drawn up for the future of the Euston station complex, suggesting that high-speed trains would be based in a separate station but with a link to the existing station and national rail services.
Opening Timeline
The first phase was initially due to launch by the end of 2026, but the estimate has been pushed back several times. The new target opening date is now between May 2036 and October 2039. HS2's Mark Wild said he is confident that 'these bookends of time and cost are robust.'
Construction History
HS2 was given the green light in 2012, but construction did not begin until 2020. The project has purchased more than 1,000 homes, farms, and land along the route to make way for the tracks. Residents living next to one of the construction sites previously told Metro that they were surprised at the speed at which the steel frames just yards from their homes were erected. The National Audit Office warned in 2016 that the project was at risk of delays and exceeding its budget. However, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson recommitted to the project in 2020 following another review.
Ticket Prices
The cost of HS2 tickets could change by the time the railway opens, but they are expected to be pricier than standard rail fares. Previous estimates suggest that HS2 tickets could cost up to 30% more than standard rail travel, although no official figures have been released yet. The higher cost is likely to help absorb some of the construction costs and factor in faster journey times. Inflation at the time of opening will also affect prices, and it remains unclear whether HS2 will accept railcards and other discounts.
