HS2 costs could top £100bn and trains will be slower than first planned
Summary
The UK government announced that the HS2 high-speed rail project could cost up to £102.7 billion and will be delayed by up to six years, with trains starting service between 2036 and 2039. To reduce costs, the trains will run at a top speed of 320 km/h instead of the original 360 km/h.Key Facts
- The HS2 project cost estimate has risen to between £87.7 billion and £102.7 billion as of 2025 prices.
- Train services are now expected to start between 2036 and 2039, delayed from the previous 2033 target.
- The planned top speed for HS2 trains has been lowered from 360 km/h (224 mph) to 320 km/h to save up to £2.5 billion.
- The project was originally forecast to cost around £75 billion in today's money when planned to reach Manchester and Leeds.
- The current route focuses on connecting London to Birmingham.
- Two-thirds of the cost increase is attributed to underestimated expenses by the previous government, poor project management, and missing work scopes.
- One-third of the increase is due to inflation.
- The full service including London Euston to Birmingham Curzon Street and a West Coast Main Line connection is expected between 2040 and 2043.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.