HS2 will cost up to £102.7bn and trains will be slower than first planned
The HS2 project is now projected to cost up to £102.7 billion, with trains expected to start running between 2036 and 2039. The top speed of the trains will be reduced from 360 km/h to 320 km/h to help manage costs. This announcement follows a report detailing the project's challenges and the government's commitment to improving delivery and controlling expenses.
- ▪HS2's cost has increased significantly from the original forecast of £50.1 billion in 2013.
- ▪The project is now expected to cost between £87.7 billion and £102.7 billion in 2025 prices.
- ▪Trains will not start running until between 2036 and 2039, which is up to six years later than previously planned.
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HS2 will cost up to £102.7bn and trains will be slower than first plannedJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleKaty Austin,Transport correspondentandRachel Clun,Business reporterPA MediaHS2 could now cost up to £102.7bn, the transport secretary has announced.Trains will not start running until between 2036 and 2039, up to six years later than the most recent official target of 2033, Heidi Alexander told the House of Commons.To save money, the trains' top speed - originally planned to be 360km/h (224mph) - will be reduced to 320km/h.The new cost range, delayed start and lower train speed are being announced as a "reset" of the delayed, over-budget and vastly scaled-back project is carried out.Heidi Alexander has published the Lovegrove report into the project, which she said details…
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