HS2 faces more delays

The DfT has asked HS2 to assess the impact of extending the timetable for opening the first phase of the high-speed rail line by up to a year

HS2 is facing more delays, with the possibility that the completion date for its first phase could be extended beyond 2026, because of rising costs and an “unrealistic timetable”, a report by the National Audit Office has found.

The project has already been delayed by 10 months at the first of three formal review points because HS2 Ltd could not reach “the required level of capability” in time.

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office (NAO), said: “HS2 is a large, complex and ambitious programme which is facing cost and time pressures. The unrealistic timetable set for HS2 Ltd by the Department for Transport means they are not as ready to deliver as they hoped to be at this point. The DfT now needs to get the project working to a timescale that is achievable.” 

Simon Kirby, the chief executive of HS2, said: “The role of the NAO is to challenge projects such as HS2 and through that challenge improve the way they deliver for the taxpayer. This report does this and we accept that challenge.”

The DfT has asked HS2 to assess the impact of extending the timetable for opening the first phase of the high-speed rail line by up to a year.

Funding issues also continue to challenge the project. The NAO said that phase one is set to exceed its forecast cost of £27,384 million by £204 million.

“There is less contingency to deliver phase one than the department and HS2 were aiming for at this stage, and this forecast assumes that planned efficiencies totalling £1.47 billion will be realised,” said the report.

Concern was also raised in the report that effective integration of HS2 with the wider rail system is challenging, including how the new high speed line  integrates with other rail improvements in the  North.