The government has admitted that the HS2 high-speed railway will now cost up to £102.7 billion, with trains not running between London and Birmingham until as late as 2039. This represents an increase of £70 billion and a delay of 13 years compared to original promises.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander blamed the Conservative government for what she called an “obscene increase in times and costs.” She said the previous administration had spent most of the budget without laying a single mile of track. The total cost range is estimated at £87.7 billion to £102.7 billion in 2026 prices, with only a third of the rise due to inflation.
The first trains will operate between Old Oak Common in west London and Birmingham Curzon Street between 2036 and 2039. The full railway, running from London Euston to join the West Coast Mainline in Staffordshire, is scheduled for completion between 2040 and 2043.
To save about £2.5 billion, trains will run at lower speeds, reducing the top speed from 225mph to nearly 200mph. The original design was described as “a massively overspecced folly.” Plans for automatic train operation are expected to be dropped.
HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild said the reset was necessary to regain control of the project, noting improved productivity and major milestones achieved ahead of schedule. The project was first approved in 2012 with a £32.7 billion budget and a 2026 completion date.
