HS2 London–Birmingham Section Gets Green Light for Major Overhaul

HS2 Ltd has confirmed its London-to-Birmingham high-speed rail line is already billions of pounds over budget—even though the civil engineering works are just over halfway finished. Originally budgeted at £19.5 billion for this leg alone, spending has reached £26 billion so far, with the final cost likely to climb further.

In response, new CEO Mark Wild has announced a sweeping project reset. The plan will see designs simplified, contracts renegotiated, and tighter cost controls imposed. He described the program as having grown too complex, with spiralling contingencies that have outstripped original assumptions.

Though originally expected to open in 2026, the Birmingham branch is now slated for after 2033—a date some industry watchers think may slip again. Work on HS2’s London terminus at Euston also remains uncertain, despite government pledges to eventually complete it.

For London construction and rail contractors, the reset could mean both risk and opportunity: streamlined procurement might open doors for new suppliers, but further delays could disrupt workforces and planning. It’s a pivotal moment for one of Europe’s largest infrastructure projects, and all eyes will be on HS2 Ltd’s ability to deliver this long-awaited boost to UK connectivity.