HS2

The number of senior vacancies at HS2 has fallen following a hiring spree on the high-speed rail project, data published by the Department for Transport (DfT) has shown. However, a senior politician has criticised the government for being “asleep at the wheel” over a number of crucial roles that have…

Michael Gove has said HS2 could be scaled back as the government plans spending cuts to balance its books. The levelling-up secretary was asked by Times Radio yesterday about the likelihood of HS2 being subject to cuts. “I am sure everything will be reviewed,” he said, adding: “I do think…

Transport secretary Mark Harper will be hoping it is third time lucky, as he takes on the massive task of keeping High Speed 2 on track. As David Cameron’s former chief whip, Harper campaigned in vain for the UK to remain in the EU. Under Boris Johnson’s leadership, the backbencher…

Transport secretary Mark Harper has cited a lack of productivity among the reasons for a potential cost increase of almost £2bn in the construction of the first phase of High Speed 2. He said client body HS2 Ltd had identified “cost pressures” of £1.9bn on the delivery of the London-to-Birmingham…

HS2’s decision to use a government electricity framework has cut the price it pays for energy by approximately 10 per cent. The multimillion-pound high-speed rail project opted to use a government framework to buy in the electricity it needs to power machinery used on phase one of the build, which…

HS2’s London to Birmingham leg is expected to overrun its budget by “billions”, it has been reported.  The first phase of the rail project, from Euston to Curzon Street. currently has a budget of £40.3bn, with a built-in contingency taking the total cost to £44.6bn. However, according to the Financial…

Trade bodies have warned against scaling down HS2 amid speculation that imminent cuts to government spending could see plans changed. Market turmoil and pressures on the government have led to chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng bringing forward an announcement on how he will balance public finances following last month’s package of tax…

Work to construct HS2’s longest tunnels has almost reached the halfway point. This week two tunnel boring machines (TBM) operating at the site passed through the second ventilation shaft under the Chilterns. The machines, Cecilia and Florence, have now completed the first 4 miles of their drive from the Chiltern…

“Further work” is needed to come up with a solution for removing tonnes of spoil from HS2’s Euston station site, the company has confirmed. Earlier this year Sir Douglas Oakervee was commissioned by the Department for Transport (DfT) to assess options for transporting excavated materials away from the Euston site.…

HS2 has fired up its first giant tunnel boring machine (TBM) in London. The 2,000-tonne piece of equipment, known as Sushila, was launched in Hillingdon on 6 October and will bore five miles towards Greenford in west London. Sushila will work on a 24-hour basis for the next 22 months,…