HS2 is still two-thirds unfinished AND three years behind schedule

HS2 rail line is only about “one third complete” with works up to three years behind, the project's boss has confessed, despite its original plan to open next year.

- By Steph Spyro Deputy Political Editor

THE HS2 rail line is only about “one third complete” with works up to three years behind, the project's boss has confessed, despite its original plan to open next year.

Chief executive Mark Wild, brought in to rescue the costly project last year, told MPs it remains a “unique challenge”.

He said: “After five years of civil engineering, we are at least two to three years behind.

“We are about one third complete against the whole scheme. In the first two years of effort, we simply didn’t make enough progress.”

He added: “The real delay is the 100 miles of civil engineering between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street.”

Scrapped