HS2 Reset: UK High-Speed Rail Project Overhaul & Mismanagement

HS2, meant to link major UK cities, has been a "litany of failure". Over 15 years, costs soared by £37 billion, public trust was lost, and sections were cancelled. This episode explores the government's "reset", with new leadership (Mark Wild, Mike Brown) and acceptance of all James Stewart review recommendations for oversight, cost control, and capability. Supply chain fraud allegations are also being investigated. Focus is on completing the Birmingham-London section safely and affordably.

Key Takeaways:

• HS2 costs rose £37 billion; £2 billion on cancelled Phase 2 wasted.
• Project plagued by poor management, flawed reporting, and ineffective oversight.
• New leadership (Mark Wild, Mike Brown) appointed.
• Government accepted all 89 James Stewart review recommendations for governance, costs, and skills.
• Euston station designs failed, wasting over £250m; ministerial taskforce never met.
• Supply chain fraud allegations under rigorous investigation.
• Project "unsustainable" on cost/schedule; 2033 target for trains running unlikely.

Important Definitions and Concepts:

• HS2 Reset: A major initiative to reform the HS2 high-speed rail project, addressing past mismanagement and cost overruns to complete the Birmingham-London line effectively.
• James Stewart Review: An independent report recommending improvements for Department for Transport and government major project delivery; all recommendations accepted.

Discussion and Reflection Question: Given HS2's challenges, what critical steps can restore public trust and ensure responsible, on-budget delivery of future large-scale national infrastructure projects?

Source: HS2 Reset
Volume 769: debated on Wednesday 18 June 2025

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No outside chatter: source material only taken from Hansard and the Parliament UK website.

Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0....