A fresh wave of anger has erupted over the beleaguered HS2 project after bosses confirmed a major setback, dashing hopes that trains would run between Birmingham and London within the original target window.
Major Delay Confirmed Amid 'Project Reset'
In a recent update, HS2 Ltd revealed that its aim of launching services between Birmingham's Curzon Street Station and London's Old Oak Common Station between 2029 and 2033 could no longer be achieved. This announcement comes despite the organisation insisting that 2025 saw "significant progress" and that the project is now at an "advanced stage of a comprehensive reset".
The confirmation follows earlier comments from HS2 CEO Mark Wild, who admitted construction had been "harder than thought" and required a fundamental review of cost and schedule. He pledged to address the "failures of the past" to get the high-speed railway back on track.
Political Clash and Public Backlash
The news has intensified the political row surrounding the multi-billion pound scheme. It follows a heated exchange between Labour's West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, and Reform UK's Richard Tice, who argued scrapping HS2 would "save tens of billions".
Mayor Parker issued a defiant response, warning that axing the project would "rip out billions of investment already flowing into the West Midlands". "That might work for Tice and Farage’s social media strategy but it doesn’t work for the people who rely on real jobs and real growth," he added.
Public reaction has been scathing, with the Stop HS2 campaign stating the delay would come as "no surprise to most people". On social media, residents labelled the project a "white elephant", with one reader, Youssef Ka, commenting: "The price tag and timeline for this project is just unbelievable." Another, David Hairsine, succinctly called the situation a "farcical pantomime".
Defence as an Economic Catalyst
Despite the frustration, HS2 and local leaders continue to champion the project's wider role. HS2 describes itself as a "catalyst for regeneration and growth across the West Midlands region".
Birmingham Council leader John Cotton said in February 2024 that HS2 was "already delivering a positive economic legacy", citing a significant increase in investment within a mile-and-a-half radius of the city's two HS2 stations. He argued the project could drive an economic uplift worth billions, translating to "better lives for families".
Some readers also voiced support, with one highlighting the benefit of freeing up space for more passenger and freight trains on existing mainlines.
Progress Claimed Amid Overhaul
HS2 insists it is now at "peak production", pointing to several construction milestones in 2025. Key achievements include:
- Excavating all 23 miles of deep-bore tunnels on the initial London-Birmingham section.
- Completing 70% of the vast earthworks programme.
- Using almost 300,000 tonnes of steel, 69% of the total required.
- Installing the first high-speed platforms at Old Oak Common.
As part of its reset, HS2 says it has toughened cost controls, strengthened its leadership team, and become a less bureaucratic organisation. It has also established a new construction schedule to prioritise completing the first phase between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street.
The project now moves into completing complex civil engineering across the 140-mile route before installing track and signalling systems, with the government's upcoming spending review expected to provide greater financial certainty.
