The opening of the HS2 high-speed rail line in the UK is expected to be delayed beyond its target date of 2033 due to ballooning costs and a 'litany of failure.' Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is set to announce findings of reviews, including a £37bn cost increase under Conservative governments. The project has already been scaled back, with legs to Manchester and Leeds cancelled.
Opening of HS2 line set to be delayed beyond 2033
HS2High Speed Rail
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The opening of the HS2 high-speed rail line in the UK is expected to be delayed beyond its target date of 2033 due to ballooning costs and a 'litany of failure.' Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is set to announce findings of reviews, including a £37bn cost increase under Conservative governments. The project has already been scaled back, with legs to Manchester and Leeds cancelled.
Trending- 1 2010: HS2 was estimated to cost £33bn and open in 2026.
- 2 2012: The HS2 line was first approved.
- 3 2021: A planned eastern leg between Birmingham and Leeds was axed.
- 4 2023: The Birmingham to Manchester leg was cancelled.
- 5 Last year (2024): The Department for Transport estimated the remaining project cost at £45bn-£54bn. James Stewart's review was commissioned. Mark Wild was put in place as new chief executive.
- 6 Wednesday, June 18, 2025: Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to tell Parliament about the delays and announce Mike Brown as the new chair of HS2 Ltd.
- Further delays to the HS2 high-speed rail project
- Increased costs beyond original estimates
- Public scrutiny and criticism of major transport infrastructure projects
- Changes in leadership at HS2 Ltd
What: The opening of the HS2 high-speed rail line is set to be delayed beyond 2033. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will announce findings of reviews citing a 'litany of failure' and a £37bn cost increase since 2012. The project has already seen its Birmingham to Manchester and Birmingham to Leeds legs cancelled.
When: Expected announcement on Wednesday (June 18, 2025). Original opening target was 2026 (estimated in 2010). Line approved in 2012. Eastern leg axed two years ago (2021). Birmingham to Manchester leg cancelled in 2023. Costs rose between 2012 and last year's general election (2024).
Where: United Kingdom (London, Midlands, North of England, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds).
Why: The project has faced a 'litany of failure,' ballooning costs, and an inability to be delivered on schedule and within budget.
How: Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will outline the findings of two reviews into HS2. New leadership, including Mike Brown as chair and Mark Wild as chief executive, has been appointed to HS2 Ltd to try and control rising costs.