Wed, 18 Jun 2025

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 Opening of HS2 line set to be delayed beyond 2033

The BBC understands the government will confirm the delay on Wednesday when a review of the project is published.

* HS2's opening will be delayed beyond its target date of 2033
* Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to tell Parliament that there is "no reasonable way to deliver" the railway line on schedule and within budget
* The project has been scaled back and delayed repeatedly, with costs rising by £37bn since 2012
* Two reviews into HS2 have found a "litany of failure" leading to missed deadlines and ballooning costs
* One review was conducted by James Stewart, former chief executive of Crossrail, while the other was led by Mark Wild, current CEO of HS2
* The project's construction has been plagued with problems, including soaring costs and delays
* The eastern leg between Birmingham and Leeds was axed first, followed by the cancellation of the planned Birmingham to Manchester route
* Current estimates put the remaining project cost at £45-54bn in 2019 prices, although HS2 management thinks it could be as high as £57bn
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