HS2 costs soar past 100billion with trains not running from London until at least 2036

"It gives me no pleasure to say the expected cost of completing HS2 is now between 87.7 billion and 102.7 billion, priced in 2025. Two-thirds of this increase is down to past misunderstanding of the work required, underestimation and inefficiency, issues within the control of HS2 Ltd, some of its suppliers, and previous governments. The remaining third is linked to inflation, which was not factored into previous cost estimates regularly enough."

"The first high speed services are expected to begin running between Old Oak Common and Birmingham's Curzon Street station between May 2036 and October 2039. HS2 services between Euston Station and Handsacre Junction in Staffordshire will not start until between May 2040 and December 2043. Handsacre Junction is where HS2 trains are planned to leave the dedicated high-speed tracks and merge onto the conventional West Coast Mainline."

"Ms Alexander also announced that HS2 trains will run slower than planned to save money. She said the maximum speed of services will be 320km/h (199mph), down from the original design of 360km/h (224mph). Ms Alexander claimed past administrations spent most of HS2's budget without laying a single metre of its track."

"Let me remind the House of the litany of failure we inherited in July 2024. Costs soared by 37 billion under the previous government alone, billions of taxpayers' money was sunk into Phase Two work for the sections north of Birmingham before they were abruptly cancelled. Huge contracts were handed out without improvement in price, despite the Oakervee Review's recommendation to negotiate a better position."

HS2 high speed services between west London and Birmingham will not begin for at least another 10 years. The expected total cost of completing HS2 is now between 87.7 billion and 102.7 billion, priced in 2025. Two-thirds of the increase is attributed to past misunderstanding of required work, underestimation, and inefficiency, including issues within HS2 Ltd, some suppliers, and previous governments. The remaining third is linked to inflation not factored into earlier estimates often enough. The first services between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street are expected between May 2036 and October 2039. Euston to Handsacre Junction services are expected between May 2040 and December 2043. Trains will run at a maximum of 320km/h instead of 360km/h to save money.

Read at www.standard.co.uk