The government is set to announce a further delay to the troubled HS2 project on Wednesday, admitting that the latest deadline is now unattainable.
Sky News has learned that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will reveal that the London to Birmingham line will not be ready for opening by 2033.
The new target date remains uncertain at this time.
Ms. Alexander is expected to attribute the £37bn cost increase since 2012 to the Tories, accusing them of a «series of failures» that have plagued the high-speed rail network since its approval by the coalition government.
Initially reported by The Telegraph, she is also anticipated to raise concerns about potential fraud by subcontractors, vowing that there will be «consequences.»
Ms. Alexander’s announcement will coincide with the results of two reviews into HS2, investigating the project’s missteps and offering guidance on future construction plans.
Addressing MPs, she will state: «Billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money have been squandered due to constant changes in scope, ineffective contracts, and poor management.
«It’s a dreadful situation. But one we are committed to resolving.»
Originally designed to reduce travel times and enhance connectivity between London, the Midlands, and the North, HS2 was given the green light in 2012 with the goal of being operational by 2026. However, it has since been plagued by setbacks and escalating costs.
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The original plan involved constructing the first phase connecting London and Birmingham, followed by the addition of branches to Manchester and Leeds.
However, in 2021, Boris Johnson decided to scrap the Leeds leg, while in 2023, Rishi Sunak halted the remaining second phase to Manchester due to escalating costs.
The most recent projections suggest an opening date for the London to Birmingham section, currently under construction, between 2029 and 2033.
According to a House of Commons research briefing, the latest cost estimates range from £49bn to £56.6bn (in 2019 prices).
When initially conceived in 2009, the entire project was expected to cost £37.5bn at that time’s prices.