Cost of HS2 could pass £80bn as estimated bill jumps 15% in a year

An HS2 worker stands in front of a tunnel boring machine at the Old Oak Common site. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA

The bill for building the HS2 high-speed railway could pass £80bn at current prices, as estimated costs jumped by 15% since the last parliamentary report just over a year ago.

An update from ministers put the budget at building the line from London to Birmingham at between £54bn and £66bn, quoting figures supplied to the Department for Transportby HS2 Ltd.