Potential Reduction in HS2 Train Speeds to Control Costs
HS2 high-speed railway trains may operate at slower speeds than originally planned as a measure to reduce expenses. The government is set to instruct the company responsible for building the project to explore options for lower speeds on the London to Birmingham line, which has experienced delays and budget overruns.
HS2's chief executive, Mark Wild, was anticipated to announce this month that the line would not be completed by the current 2033 deadline and that costs would exceed £100 billion in today's prices. However, this announcement has been postponed until after the May elections.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is reportedly considering all possible measures to recover as much time and taxpayer money as possible. One such option under review is reducing the initial operating speed of the trains on the line.
HS2 Design and Speed Considerations
The HS2 system has been engineered to allow trains to reach speeds of up to 360 km/h (224 mph). Department for Transport (DfT) sources note that this speed surpasses that of any other conventional railway worldwide.
In comparison, most high-speed trains in the UK operate at speeds up to 200 km/h (125 mph), while those on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (HS1) run at speeds up to 300 km/h.
This design means HS2 trains cannot be tested at their intended maximum speeds until either a dedicated test track or the railway itself is completed. DfT sources indicate that this requirement could delay the project's completion by several years and add billions of pounds to the cost.
As an alternative, the government suggests sending trains to China for testing on existing tracks there.
Government Criticism and Project Management
The government has expressed strong criticism of decisions made by previous administrations regarding HS2. Last year, the Transport Secretary described the project as
"an appalling mess".
The Conservative Party has been approached for comment on these developments.
Mark Wild, who previously served as chief executive of Crossrail—the project that evolved into London's Elizabeth Line—was appointed by the Labour government to revamp the HS2 scheme. He has spent over a year working on a "reset" of the entire project, aiming to establish a realistic schedule and budget for delivering the line.
Although several major structures, including tunnels and bridges, have been constructed along the route, the project remains years from completion.
Changes to Original HS2 Plans
HS2 was initially planned as a high-speed railway connecting London with Leeds and Manchester. However, the sections north of Birmingham have since been cancelled.
Under the current plans, HS2 trains will travel from Birmingham to Manchester but will operate at reduced speeds on the existing West Coast Main Line.
