HS2 Chief Admits Failures, Promises New Plan to Fix Problems
London – The new head of HS2 Ltd, Mark Wild, has written a letter to the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander MP, warning that
the high-speed rail project is in serious trouble. In his letter, he says HS2 has failed to control its costs or meet deadlines — and that major changes are urgently needed.
Mr Wild took over as CEO just 100 days ago. He says the current situation is “unacceptable” and the project must be reset to stay on track and avoid wasting more money.
What’s Gone Wrong?
- The stretch from Old Oak Common in London to Birmingham won’t open between 2029–2033 as planned.
- So far, only one-third of the main civil works have been finished — it should have been three-quarters by now.
- The estimated cost has ballooned from £44.6 billion to at least £61.8 billion (not including the Euston section).
- Testing time for the trains was wrongly planned — it will likely take up to 36 months instead of 14.
Main Reasons for Delays and Costs:
- Construction started too soon — before full designs and permissions were ready.
- HS2’s contracts gave too much risk to the company and not enough to suppliers.
- HS2 Ltd is too slow and bureaucratic — with too few skilled workers in key areas like finance and engineering.
What Happens Now?
Mr Wild wants to completely reset the project with:
- A simpler, staged approach to opening the railway.
- Better contracts that encourage suppliers to save money.
- A smaller, more expert HS2 Ltd team.
- Closer teamwork with government to speed up decisions.
He ruled out pausing the project — saying that would only make it more expensive. Instead, he’s already cut back non-essential work and staff costs.
Looking Ahead
By April 2026, a new plan with updated budgets and timelines should be ready. Mr Wild says he is committed to working closely with the government to turn things around — but big decisions must be made quickly.
“HS2 must be delivered competently and transparently,” he said. “We can’t afford to get this wrong again.”
Mr Wild ended his letter by stressing the urgent need for quick, joint decisions from HS2 Ltd, the Government, and suppliers to turn the project around. He promised to work openly and closely with the Department for Transport, offering to meet ministers to discuss his findings and next steps.