HS2 project's cost rises to £102.7bn, with trains potentially delayed until 2039. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander calls the original design a "massively over-specced folly" and the cost increase "obscene". The project is criticized as a "superfluous railway" and a "vanity project".
The UK's High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project has announced further delays and increased costs. The London to Birmingham line is now estimated to cost between £87.7 and £102.7 billion, with service pushed back to 2036.
Das britische HS2-Hochgeschwindigkeitsbahnprojekt wird immer teurer und verzögert sich stark. Die geschätzten Kosten steigen auf bis zu 120 Milliarden Euro, die Fertigstellung verschiebt sich um bis zu 15 Jahre. Die Regierung erwägt, das Projekt abzubrechen.
英國政府宣布，高鐵2號（HS2）計畫建設成本預計將超過1000億英鎊，完工日期也延後至最晚2039年。交通大臣指出，成本上升主因是過去對工程的誤解與效率不彰，加上通貨膨脹影響。
英国交通大臣亚历山大宣布，高速铁路2号线(HS2)项目预计总成本已升至最高1027亿英镑，项目全面投入运营的时间也将推迟至2040年至2043年。列车最高设计运行时速也将下调。
HS2's escalating costs and reduced scope have led to a crisis, with experts suggesting its failure might paradoxically lead to the completion of the western leg to Manchester. The project's original strategic goals are no longer met, and its current plan faces significant operational challenges.
Das britische Hochgeschwindigkeitszugprojekt HS2 von London in den Norden Englands wird immer teurer und verzögert sich. Die Kosten steigen auf bis zu 118 Milliarden Euro, die Fertigstellung verschiebt sich bis mindestens 2036, und die Strecke wird deutlich kürzer als geplant.
The UK's HS2 high-speed rail project faces a new cost estimate of up to £102.7bn and a delayed opening between 2036-2039. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced the 'reset' of the project, citing underestimation by previous governments and inflation as key cost drivers.
The HS2 high-speed rail project in the UK will now cost up to £102.7bn and trains won't run until 2039, admitting a £70bn increase and 13-year delay. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander cited underestimates and inefficient delivery for the cost surge.
The UK government will announce the latest HS2 cost estimate and completion timetable on Tuesday, including plans to reduce train speeds to cut costs. The transport secretary will present the budget in 2026 prices, with hopes it remains below £100bn.
A review of the HS2 rail line is expected to attribute its failures partly to a focus on maximum speeds and political pressure. The report, by Sir Stephen Lovegrove, will likely echo previous findings about "original sins" like changing priorities and ballooning costs, and suggests lowering top speeds to save money.
A senior rail official has warned that modifying the HS2 train order to address capacity issues could inflate costs and result in slower, less efficient services north of Birmingham. The government is currently reviewing the £2bn contract with Alstom and Hitachi.
