HS2 Project Update

We are resetting the programme

Mark Wild, our CEO, is leading a complete programme review to reset the project. We’re putting it on a more stable path. We’re giving the government and taxpayers greater certainty around cost and when we’ll finish building.

Why it matters?

This certainty provides the opportunity to look at how we maximise economic growth through delivery and rail capacity that is part of the government’s long-term plan to rebuild Britain’s infrastructure.

We are prioritising a test area

We’re prioritising a 50-mile section of the railway to install track, power, signalling and communications systems first. This will let us test the railway while construction continues elsewhere.

It’s rare for a new railway and new trains to start at the same time. We need to comprehensively test them together before safely opening the railway.

The test area is a section where we’ll complete all the infrastructure first, so we can:

• test the systems without trains (static testing)
• test everything together with trains running (dynamic testing)

This approach means testing can start while we finish the rest of the route.

Which section of the route will form the test area?

The core test area will run for about 50 miles from:

• Washwood Heath in Birmingham, where we’ll build the Network Integrated Control Centre, to
• The north portal of Wendover Green Tunnel in Buckinghamshire

We chose this section because:

• it’s long enough for us to test our trains at full speed
• it gives enough distance to test and calibrate the braking systems
• it provides sufficient infrastructure for effective testing

Completing the civil engineering on this 50-mile section is now our top priority. This gives rail systems engineers a clean handover.

We’ve deferred some works outside this area, including engineering at Handsacre in Staffordshire (where HS2 joins the West Coast Main Line) and secondary works on the London tunnels network.

This protects the test area and keeps us on track.

Why we’re taking this approach?

Mark Wild’s review in spring 2025 showed we hadn’t allowed enough time for testing. We’ve learned from other major projects, including Crossrail, where Mark successfully delivered the Elizabeth Line.

Testing in phases keeps us on schedule. Waiting to finish all the civils work from Curzon Street to Old Oak Common before testing would delay opening.

Download the test area map

Understanding the challenge

Mark Wild’s initial assessment in his first three months identified what had been completed, what remained to be done, and crucially, why costs and timescales had escalated. This foundation enabled the reset to begin.

The reset approach

A specialist taskforce, based on the successful Crossrail recovery model that delivered the Elizabeth Line, is creating new cost and schedule estimates. These will undergo thorough verification before adoption.  

Simultaneously, HS2 is building the right organisational structure with critical appointments: 

• Ruth Dunphy (Chief Transformation Officer) – Leading transformational change, addressing skills gaps, and building a leaner organisation 
• Morag Stuart (Chief Commercial Officer) – Establishing new contractor relationships to improve efficiency and taxpayer value 
• Six new non-executive directors – Strengthening board leadership and oversight 

Safety remains paramount

With 34,000 people working across the 140 mile route, safety leadership has been strengthened with better visibility of on-the-ground progress and challenges. The commitment is clear: everyone must go home safely. 

Building trust through transparency

As an arms-length body, HS2’s relationship with government centres on mutual trust, transparency and shared goals. The reset embeds lessons from: 

• The James Stewart Review  
• Industry expert findings 
• Wider government reviews 

All will be implemented by the end of the reset period. 

Why this reset will succeed

Five years of construction knowledge provides solid foundations for accurate estimates. Major complex structures – including the longest tunnel and bridge – are complete. Focus now shifts to sequencing remaining civils work before rail systems installation. 

Improved productivity delivered results in 2025, with all six construction milestones met on time. All twin-bore tunnelling on the 46-mile opening section (Old Oak Common to Birmingham Curzon Street) is now complete. 

Proven methodology applies the refined Crossrail recovery model – the same approach that transformed Europe’s most troubled infrastructure project into an operational railway.  

Transparent collaboration with the Department for Transport throughout ensures accountability. 

Construction progress

We’re continuing construction across 140 miles of route. More than 34,000 people now work on the programme. We’ve created 1,922 apprenticeships and 125 graduates. More than 5,000 previously unemployed people have secured jobs through HS2.

Tunnelling

Viaducts

Bridges

Earthworks