HS2 cost increase is ‘terrible news’, says rail boss
The HS2 rail project has seen its budget double over the past five years, with costs now estimated between £87.7 billion and £102.7 billion. Chief executive Mark Wild described the cost increase as 'terrible news' and acknowledged the need to address the reasons behind it. The new target opening schedule has been pushed back to between May 2036 and October 2039, significantly later than initially planned.
- ▪The budget for the HS2 project has increased by almost £60 billion from initial estimates.
- ▪Transport secretary Heidi Alexander expressed anger over the significant rise in costs and delays, attributing them to past misunderstandings and inefficiencies.
- ▪Trains on the HS2 line will now run slower than originally planned to help reduce costs.
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NewsUKHome NewsHS2 cost increase is ‘terrible news’, says rail bossThe new target opening schedule for HS2 is between May 2036 and October 2039Neil Lancefield Wednesday 20 May 2026 09:59 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2980171","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hs2-delay-cost-increase-government-opening-b2980171.html","title":"HS2 cost increase is ‘terrible news’, says rail boss"}}Resident complains of smell from HS2Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate…
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