HS2 Project Update

Our Project Update video series provides an update on the delivery of Britain’s new high-speed railway. 

In our latest video, HS2 Chief Executive Mark Wild shares an update on the latest construction progress across our 140-mile route, and sets out the three priorities for HS2 this year. 

Our three priorities for 2025-26

HS2 will create capacity for more trains, cut journey times between London and Birmingham, and create jobs and growth. But we need to reset the programme to get HS2 on track and secure the prize: boosting growth and better journeys. 

Through the first phases of the reset, we have shared an initial assessment of the programme with the Government, and set out the three clear priorities for this year:  

• improving controls 
• boosting safety and productivity, and 
• delivering the reset 

The reset will deliver a clear, realistic budget and timeline for HS2 that the government supports. 

While we re-sequence the programme, we’re focusing on essential work that safely accelerates construction and supports the reset – laying a secure foundation for the future delivery of the programme. 

Construction progress

Construction continues across 140 miles of route, with over 33,000 people now working on the programme, 1,865 apprenticeships created, and more than 5,000 previously unemployed people securing jobs through HS2. 

From major tunnelling breakthroughs to new station developments, we are laying the foundations for a railway that will reshape Britain’s transport future.

Four of our huge tunnel boring machines have completed their drives this calendar year alone.   

Our longest tunnel – the 10-mile Chiltern tunnel – and our shortest tunnel – the 1-mile Long Itchington Wood tunnel – are both structurally complete.   

TBM Elizabeth – currently digging the second bore of the Bromford tunnel in Birmingham – is due to complete her drive later this year.   

Our London tunnels team is preparing to launch the final two TBMs – Karen and Madeleine – which will begin mining toward Euston next year.

Above ground, construction is progressing on over 40 of our key viaducts and over 100 of our bridges.  

Between North Warwickshire and the North Chilterns, our teams are using a variety of different techniques to launch, lift, lower, push and slide the structures safely into position across roads, rivers and flood plains.

The bridging structures that we’re installing will not only enable high speed trains to travel safely above or beneath them but also provide a much-needed upgrade to local road networks along the line of route.

Connecting our major structures together is our earthworks programme – the process of excavating material to create the space below ground level where the railway will run in cuttings, and building up the embankments that will carry the line above ground.  

The warmer weather in 2025 has enabled our construction partners to make good progress so far, with our extensive fleet of construction vehicles working hard every day to “lift and fill” material to connect our tunnels, bridges and viaducts together – an essential part of completing our civil construction programme successfully. 

Programme reset

Our CEO, Mark Wild, is leading a complete programme review to reset the project and put it on a more sustainable path. This reset is about giving the Government and taxpayers greater certainty around cost and delivery timelines.

Key elements of the reset include: 

• Establishing a realistic and deliverable cost and schedule baseline, aligned with government expectations. 
• Rebalancing commercial relationships to share risk more effectively and provide strong incentives to boost productivity. 
• Ensuring HS2 Ltd has the right skills and capabilities in place to get the programme firmly back on track.
• Focusing construction efforts on priority areas to safely accelerate progress and support the reset.