HS2 train speeds are set to be capped at 320kmh (199mph), a reduction from the originally planned 360kmh (224mph), in an effort to curb the project's spiralling costs. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to confirm this change to the Commons, alongside a new target cost for the project set below £100 billion.
Cost Escalation
The project's budget has significantly increased, with the London-Birmingham section alone estimated at £66.6 billion by January 2024, compared to an initial £32.7 billion for the full line in 2011. A major review to be published following the announcement is expected to find that ‘gold plating’ HS2, including by focusing on achieving the ‘highest possible speeds’, is among the faults that contributed to the project’s difficulties.
Revised Schedule
A revised schedule for HS2's opening will also be outlined, confirming that the previous target window of 2029-2033 cannot be met, marking a significant delay from the original 2026 launch for the first phase.
