HS2 rail link chief departs

THE HS2 rail link was facing an uncertain future last night after the project’s chief executive quit.

Simon Kirby announced he was leaving Europe’s largest infrastructure scheme weeks before a key decision on the controversial venture is due.

Mr Kirby has faced criticism for his reported £750,000 salary at HS2.

The £55 billion high-speed rail project to link London with the Midlands and northern England has been plagued by delays due to reported funding shortfalls. Last night Mr Kirby said he was leaving to take up a senior position at Rolls-Royce, prompting critics to claim he was “getting out” before “the mess he has presided over is realised”.

Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, is expected to say this autumn whether phase two of the route – from the West Midlands to Leeds and Manchester – will go ahead.

Mr Kirby, who joined HS2 in 2014

from the board of Network Rail, said it had been a “huge honour” to work on the massive rail plan, adding: “I have absolute confidence in the ability to deliver the project and, in doing so, to help transform the way we do things in this country.”

Rolls-Royce said that Mr Kirby’s chief operating officer role was created to take responsibility for transforming the engineering giant across the group.

Sir David Higgins, HS2 chairman, said: “I am delighted for both Simon and Rolls-Royce that he has been appointed

‘Many of us are at a loss to see just exactly what he has done to justify his £750,000 pay packet’

to this position. Whilst naturally we will miss his experience and leadership, I also recognise that he is joining a truly great, global company in an industry in which he has previously worked.”

Warren East, Rolls-Royce chief executive, said: “His exceptional track record in delivering complex major programmes is highly relevant to Rolls-Royce and will strengthen management capability ahead of a period of significant expansion.”

In May, it emerged that Britain’s most senior civil servant, Sir Jeremy Heywood, was reviewing HS2 as fears grew that the high-speed railway could not be built within budget in its current form. In June, the National Audit Office said HS2 had warned that the 2026 target for opening phase one between London and the West Midlands was “at risk” and could be delayed by a year.

HS2 is planned to alleviate the capacity crisis on the railways, which have been struggling to cope with the highest number of passengers since the 1920s.

The economic benefits have also been estimated at more than £40 billion.

But the costs have continued to rise since the scheme was first mooted under the last Labour government. There was an increase of nearly £10 billion in 2013 and recently a £5 billion rise to reflect inflation.

An opponent of the massive rail scheme said Mr Kirby could not justify his HS2 salary.

Joe Rukin, a Stop HS2 campaign manager, said the project was beset by major problems, accusing Mr Kirby of “getting out before the true scale of the mess he has presided over is realised”.

Mr Rukin said: “The departure of Simon Kirby will be a serious blow to those who champion HS2, though many of us are at a complete loss to see just exactly what it is he has done to justify his £750,000 pay packet.”

Mr Kirby is expected to start at Rolls-Royce within the coming months.

HS2 will now begin looking for a new chief executive, according to Mr Higgins.