HS2 has officially announced that its original goal of running trains between Birmingham and London by 2029 to 2033 is no longer feasible. Despite significant construction progress, including the emerging Birmingham Curzon Street Station, the ambitious high-speed rail project has encountered serious challenges necessitating a major reset.
Earlier this year, HS2 CEO Mark Wild admitted that building the railway had been more difficult than anticipated. This prompted a thorough review of both the project’s budget and schedule. Now, in an end-of-year update, HS2 reports that while notable progress was made during 2025, the company is undergoing an extensive “comprehensive reset” to get the programme back on track.
Mr Wild has advised the government that the planned 2029/2033 opening deadlines can no longer be met. HS2 Ltd is currently finalizing new, credible cost and timeline estimates to reflect the realities on the ground.
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In his statement, Mr Wild emphasized the need to address past difficulties head-on. “It’s clear that we can only succeed through a fundamental reset,” he said. “Over the last year, we’ve scrutinized every element of the programme and are close to defining a clear way forward. Despite the challenges, the hard work of 34,000 personnel during the reset phase has laid strong foundations for future progress.”
Several key changes have been implemented, including stricter cost controls, a strengthened leadership team, and a transformation into a leaner, less bureaucratic organisation. To maximize efficiency, HS2 is focusing on completing the crucial initial phase of the railway between London’s Old Oak Common and Birmingham.
Reflecting on why the reset was needed, Mr Wild noted the project’s unprecedented complexity: “The scale of this venture is unlike anything done for over a century. Construction has proven tougher than expected, and although we’ve made solid advances, the task ahead demands a programme reset.”
He expressed confidence the challenges are solvable but emphasized the importance of this reset in restoring public and stakeholder confidence: “We get only one chance to reset and get this right.”
HS2’s latest update reports the project is at “peak production,” having successfully excavated all 23 miles of deep-bore tunnels in the opening segment. Seventy percent of earthworks have been completed, and the use of steel stands at 69 percent of requirements. The focus now shifts to civil engineering works and the subsequent installation of track, signalling, and communication systems.
To boost productivity, HS2 has increased onsite construction staff and notes that its partners have surpassed many key targets this year. The government’s recent spending review also confirmed £25.3 billion funding over the next four years for the phase between London Euston and the West Midlands, providing much-needed financial certainty.
While the original timeline has slipped, HS2 remains committed to delivering a safe, efficient, and cost-conscious high-speed rail network to connect London and Birmingham, setting the stage for further development across the UK.