U.K. has implored state-owned HS2 Ltd. to reduce speeds on the being developed HS2 high-speed railway amid cost overruns. The government is to order the company building the project to consider lower speeds on the line from London to Birmingham. Since inception, the project has been hit by delays and cost overruns. HS2’s chief executive Mark Wild was expected to say this month the line would not be completed until after the current 2033 deadline.

Moreover, it would cost over £100bn in today’s prices. However, that announcement has now been delayed until after the May elections. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is said to be weighing up all options to claw back as much time and money for the taxpayer as possible. Among the options is a lower initial operating speed on the line. The line is currently being designed to allow trains to run up to 360km/h (224mph).

Furthermore, Department for Transport sources point out that this is faster than any other conventional railway in the world. HS2 was originally envisaged as a high-speed railway that would connect London with Leeds and Manchester. However, the sections north of Birmingham were subsequently cancelled.

Outlook on the HS2 High-Speed Railway as U.K.’s Fastest Rail

Reducing speeds on the HS2 high-speed railway project would absolve it of the rank as the fastest railway in U.K. Most high speed trains in this country run at up to 200km/h (125mph). Conversely, those on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (HS1) operate at up to 300km/h. This means HS2 trains cannot be tested at their intended operating speeds until a bespoke test track. On the other hand, the remaining option is when the railway itself is complete.

It is something DfT sources claim would also delay completion of the project by several years and cost billions of pounds. The alternative, they say, would be to send trains to China to be tested on existing tracks there. The government has been highly critical of decisions taken by previous administrations. Last year, the Transport Secretary described the scheme as “an appalling mess.” Wild had previously worked as chief executive of Crossrail, the project that became London’s Elizabeth Line.

He was also appointed as chief executive of HS2 under the previous government in May 2024 to oversee the completion of the railway. A number of major developments, including tunnels and bridges, have also been built along the line. This includes UK’s longest railway bridge, the Colne Valley viaduct. However, it is still years away from completion. Under current plans, HS2 trains will travel from Birmingham to Manchester, but at reduced speed on the existing West Coast Main Line.

Project Overview

• Project Type: High-speed railway.
• Route: London – Birmingham
• Initial Proposal: Extension to Manchester and Leeds (partially cancelled)
• Estimated Price: PS100+ billion (present prices)

Key Developer

• HS2 Ltd

Government Authority

• UK Department for Transport

Location

• Country: United Kingdom

Scope

• High-speed rail line between London and Birmingham.
• Also includes connection to the existing rail network to the north routes.

Status

• Stage: Under construction
• Completion Schedule: Post 2033 (projected)

Key Developments

• Government looking at lower operating speeds.
• Designed Speed: Up to 360 km/h
• Possible Adjustment: Reduce speed to minimize costs and delivery risks.

Challenges

• Significant cost overruns
• Project delays
• Also scope cuts (northern extensions cancelled)

Strategic Considerations

• Reduced speeds can decrease the complexity of construction and testing.
• Also performance versus cost efficiency trade-off.
• Continued government audit to streamline project delivery.

Key Figures

• Transport Secretary: Heidi Alexander.
• HS2 CEO: Mark Wild