HS2 construction set to be delayed

It's being reported delays to some sections of HS2 to save money will shortly be announced by the Government.

This would primarily affect the high-speed railway between Birmingham and Crewe, and between Crewe and Manchester.

HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Thurston recently said the impact on the project from inflation has been "significant", adding to the cost of building materials, labour, fuel and energy.

HS2 has been dogged by criticism over its finances.

A budget of £55.7 billion for the whole of the project was set in 2015. But the target cost of Phase One alone has risen to £40.3 billion at 2019 prices.

In October last year, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the forecast for when HS2's phases would be complete remained within planned ranges.

That involved Phase One - connecting London with Birmingham - opening between 2029 and 2033.

Services will initially start and end at Old Oak Common, west London, due to delays at Euston.

Mr Harper said Phase 2a - extending the line from Birmingham to Crewe - was "on track" to be completed between 2030 and 2034.

The date range for the western leg of Phase 2b - connecting Crewe with Manchester - remained between 2035 and 2041, the Cabinet minister added.

In a statement, reacting to the reports, Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council said;

“This is yet another betrayal of the midlands and the north, making a mockery of the government’s promises to level up the UK economy. HS2 has the potential to deliver economic growth across the country, but it is being undermined by the government at every turn.

“This Tory government has no vision to drive growth or for levelling up the UK economy and needs to get out of the way and allow a Labour government to deliver the vital infrastructure projects that this country is crying out for.”

The Department for Transport has not yet commented on the reports.

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