Rail Minister Asserts HS2 Will Serve 'Whole Country' When Line Is Finally Built
Rail Minister Lord Hendy has declared that the beleaguered HS2 rail project will serve the 'whole country' once the line to and from London Euston is ultimately completed. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the commencement of the final tunnelling phase, Lord Hendy emphasised that the high-speed railway should be 'full of trains to go everywhere in Britain', aiming to connect far beyond its initial Birmingham terminus.
Ceremony Marks Start of Final Tunnelling Phase
The event celebrated the initiation of two tunnel boring machines, named Karen and Madeleine, which have begun their journey from Old Oak Common in west London to Euston station in the capital's centre. This phase represents a critical step in the long-delayed project, which has faced significant setbacks, including ballooning costs and a reduced network scope. Originally planned as a Y-shaped network extending to Manchester and Yorkshire, HS2 has been scaled back to a line between London and Birmingham under previous government decisions.
Uncertainties and Future Plans for Euston Station
Despite uncertainties surrounding the final design and multi-billion-pound financing for Euston station, Lord Hendy provided reassurances about its future capacity. The current plan envisages a six-platform station, down from an original 11-platform design, but the minister highlighted that spatial planning will allow for expansion. 'The spatial plan will leave space for more because it's inconceivable that you would build this railway at this level of expense without filling it full of trains to go everywhere in Britain,' he stated, criticising previous governments for inadequate planning.
Project Delays and Cost Overruns
The HS2 project is undergoing a 'fundamental reset' under new chief executive Mark Wild, following years of chaos and mismanagement. The final bill for the much-reduced railway is projected to be at least £100 billion, with the opening date for the first section between Old Oak Common and Birmingham pushed back to the mid- to late-2030s. Mr Wild, who previously oversaw the Crossrail project, noted that lessons from past failures emphasise the need for realistic cost and time ranges, rather than fixed deadlines.
Broader Implications and Criticisms
Last year, the Public Accounts Committee raised concerns, stating that after thirteen years, key details about HS2's cost, scope, completion date, and benefits remain unknown. Lord Hendy's comments aim to address these criticisms by outlining a vision for a more integrated railway system. He argued that one of the original design failures was treating HS2 as a separate entity, whereas future plans must ensure connectivity with the rest of Britain's rail network to serve northern England and beyond.
As the tunnel boring machines progress over the next 12 to 18 months, work on the Euston terminus, previously suspended, resumes amidst hopes for a transformative national infrastructure project. The minister's pledges reflect a renewed commitment to leveraging HS2 for broader economic and transport benefits across the United Kingdom.
