HS2’s failures under spotlight as £153 million to be spent on reset process

An HS2 employee looks towards the front of the TBM as new sections of the Euston tunnel wall are manoeuvred into position, on June 23, 2026 in London - (Getty)

Revised plans for the HS2 high-speed rail project should not be put into action until there is confidence in their delivery, according to the UK’s public spending watchdog. The National Audit Office (NAO) stated in a new report that the ambitious railway scheme must be placed on a stable footing to prevent a repeat of previous failures.

This warning follows last month’s announcement by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander of a larger cost estimate and an extended timeline for the project. HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild is currently leading a "reset" of the scheme, which is scheduled for completion in 2027 with a new detailed plan for the remaining works. The NAO acknowledged that a "considered approach" is being taken to this reset but cautioned that "significant work remains" before the process is finalised.