Starmer to delay HS2 after ‘litany of failure’ under Tories
HS2 opening set to be delayed again as costs soar
- The government is expected to announce a delay to the London to Birmingham stretch of the HS2 high-speed rail project beyond its 2033 target opening date, due to soaring costs.
- Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will address Parliament, outlining a £37bn increase in HS2's costs since its approval in 2012 and vowing consequences for those who overcharged taxpayers.
- The government aims to learn from HS2's failures to improve the delivery of future infrastructure projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Lower Thames Crossing.
- Two reviews into HS2, led by Mark Wild and James Stewart, are expected to be announced alongside the Transport Secretary’s statement, focusing on construction progress and governance issues.
- A new chair of HS2, Mike Brown, former commissioner for Transport for London, will be announced, replacing Sir Jon Thompson, as the Transport Secretary is expected to address allegations of fraud by contractors to HS2.