HS2 May Launch at Lower Speeds to Control Rising Costs

HS2 trains could operate at slower speeds than originally planned when the high-speed railway eventually opens, as part of efforts to rein in escalating costs.

Mark Wild, chief executive of HS2 Ltd, indicated that reducing initial operating speeds is one of several options being considered to help manage the project’s budget, which is now estimated to reach around £100 billion. The move forms part of a broader strategy to simplify the railway at launch and limit further delays.

The London to Birmingham section, which remains the core of the project following earlier cuts, is now expected to open later than its previously stated target of 2033.

Wild explained that adopting a phased approach could help stabilise delivery. This could include operating trains at reduced speeds initially and scaling up performance over time. He also suggested that certain technical elements, such as automatic train operation, may be deferred in the early stages.

The original HS2 vision proposed trains running at speeds of up to 248mph, cutting journey times between London and Manchester to just over an hour. That maximum speed was later reduced to 225mph for the first phase. Under the latest considerations, trains could run at closer to 200mph when services begin.

The potential changes come amid ongoing criticism of the project’s management. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described HS2 as deeply flawed, pointing to repeated design changes, ineffective contracting, and poor oversight as key reasons behind the rising costs. She told MPs that billions of pounds of public money had been wasted, with the scheme’s estimated cost increasing by £37 billion between its approval in 2012 and the 2024 general election.

Originally budgeted at £32.7 billion (in 2011 prices), HS2 has undergone significant scope reductions over the past decade. The eastern leg to Leeds was cancelled in 2021, followed by the scrapping of the Birmingham to Manchester section in 2023.

Despite these setbacks, the government is continuing to review how the remaining infrastructure can be delivered more efficiently. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also commissioned an investigation into whether failures in oversight contributed to the delays and cost overruns.

Industry figures have acknowledged past mistakes. Shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon said the scaling back of HS2 was the result of earlier mismanagement, adding that lessons must be learned to avoid repeating similar issues in future major infrastructure projects.