HS2 delay: 2033 target would always be missed, says ex-government adviser
The construction of HS2 was always going to miss its delivery target, according to the government's former infrastructure chief, Sir John Armitt. He argues that the haste in drawing up the project's blueprint hobbled it, and that ministers rushed the plan without fully considering its necessity or feasibility.
Sir John believes that the project's rapid initiation led to a lack of thorough planning, stating, 'They really hadn't thought this through before it started. They wanted it to be the fastest rail network in Europe, but did we really need it?'
HS2 bosses had previously claimed significant progress was made in 2025, but just before Christmas, CEO Mark Wild confirmed the government's revelation that opening the line by 2033 'cannot be achieved'.
Sir John added, 'So, it was always going to be delayed. It was never going to meet their initial deadline.' He cited several reasons for the delay, including changes in government and political whims, as well as the need for numerous local consent agreements, which added to the cost.
Malcolm Cooper, a long-time resident of Kenilworth, expressed surprise at the scrapped 2033 deadline, stating, 'It's been going on for long enough. Other countries managed to get their high-speed networks up much faster than we do.' He also believes the project will bring no benefits to local people, who have endured years of disruption during construction.
Cooper further commented, 'It seems a terrible waste of money compared to the excellent train services we have between Coventry and Euston. I don't think it was necessary or worth it to shave 20 minutes off the journey from Birmingham. I think that was a waste of time.'
In response to the delays, HS2 Ltd stated in December that it was 'finalising a new range of credible cost and schedule estimates'. CEO Mark Wild committed to addressing 'the failures of the past and getting HS2 on track'.
