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Multiple delays have been announced regarding the opening of HS2, the high-speed railway line in the UK. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed that the target date of 2033 will not be met due to budget constraints and project mismanagement. She described the situation as an “appalling mess” with costs rising by £37bn since the project was approved in 2012.
During the announcement in the House of Commons, Alexander expressed her disappointment in the continuous scope changes, ineffective contracts, and poor project management that have led to wasted taxpayers’ money. Shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon acknowledged the mistakes made in the delivery of HS2 and highlighted the more than doubled costs and repeated delays.
Numerous Conservative governments have overseen the rising costs of HS2, with changes announced in 2023, including the cancellation of the planned route between Birmingham and Manchester. Two reports were commissioned to address the mismanagement of the project and provide recommendations for future infrastructure projects in the UK.
Under the original plans, HS2 was meant to improve rail links between London and major cities in the Midlands and North of England, reducing journey times and increasing capacity. However, the project has faced challenges and cost escalations since it was proposed 16 years ago, with estimates now reaching up to £106bn. The project, initially expected to cost £33bn and open by 2026, has been mired in delays pushing the completion date back to at least 2033
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