The HS2 project is in a “very serious situation” and requires a “fundamental reset”, the high-speed rail company’s new boss has warned.
Mark Wild, chief executive of HS2 Ltd, said he was committed to ensuring a “safe and efficient” opening of the railway.
His comments come after HS2 Ltd released an update outlining progress in building the 140-mile line between London and the West Midlands.
The Government’s latest estimate of the overall cost of the remaining section between Birmingham and London is between £45 billion and £54 billion.
HS2 began as a Labor project, announced in 2009. It has since been hit by setbacks and soaring costs.
It was initially intended to connect London with Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds; but the Birmingham to Manchester route was axed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in October 2023.
The new project plans for this to be a high-speed link between Birmingham and London, with much work having already been carried out on this section.
In its update on Monday, HS2 said 38 of the 55 miles of twin-bore tunnels have been dug and 58% of the engineering work to prepare the ground for trenches, embankments, stations and landscaping of the railway line have been completed.
Work has also started on the construction of 158 of the 227 viaducts and bridges.
More than 31,000 people are employed under the program, which has 350 active sites.
“New railways provide better travel and drive economic growth by fueling investment in communities and businesses,” Mr Wild said.
“HS2 represents a significant investment in Britain’s future – and over the last month I have been inspired by the hugely impressive feats of civil engineering taking shape along the route.”
Projects due to be completed in 2025 include the excavation of the 8.4-mile Northolt Tunnel in west London and the two borings of the 3.5-mile Bromford Tunnel, which will carry the line to and from Birmingham.
