Scathing report reveals failings over HS2
THE HS2 Rail project is wildly over budget and behind schedule because its complexity was underestimated, a scathing report has warned.
The National Audit Office also said it is impossible to estimate the scheme’s final cost which is expected to top £100billion.
The NAO report, published today, urges the Government and HS2 Ltd to provide “realistic assessments” over the scheme.
A Government-commissioned review stated that the project’s bill could reach £106billion – nearly double the original £56billion estimate given in 2015. Phase one between London and Birmingham was due to open in 2026, but full services are now forecast to start between 2031 and 2036.
Head of the NAO Gareth Davies said: “There are important lessons to be learned from HS2, not only for the Department for Transport and HS2 Ltd, but for other major infrastructure programmes.
“To ensure public trust, the department and HS2 Ltd must be transparent and provide realistic assessments of costs and completion dates as the programme develops, recognising the many risks to the delivery of the railway that remain.”
Harry Fone, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “These findings come as no surprise to those who have long been saying that HS2 is coming off the rails. Clearly costs have spiralled out of control and poor management means the project will never be completed on time or on budget.”
A DfT spokeswoman said: “We recognise that there have been significant underestimations of both the cost and schedule of HS2 which is why we commissioned the review to provide advice on how to proceed with HS2.”