HS2 Progress Update: Where We Stand in March 2025
HS2 has been one of the most ambitious and controversial infrastructure
projects in the UK’s history. Designed to revolutionise rail travel by increasing
capacity and reducing journey times, the high-speed rail network has faced
constant scrutiny over its rising costs, delays, and changes to its scope.
Despite this, significant progress has been made, with the first phase from
London to Birmingham now well into construction and substantial milestones
reached across the route.
The project’s original vision was a Y-shaped network connecting London, the
Midlands, and the North, easing congestion on existing railways and boosting
regional economies. However, continued budget pressures and political
decisions have resulted in major revisions, with the most significant being the
cancellation of the Manchester leg in 2023. The focus is now firmly on
completing the London to Birmingham phase, with discussions ongoing about
how best to integrate it with the wider rail network.
Construction is advancing at key sites, with major structural elements taking
shape. The Curzon Street station site in Birmingham is a hive of activity, with
foundations being laid for what will be a crucial transport hub. In London, Old
Oak Common station is taking form, set to be a key interchange before
services reach Euston. The Euston tunnel is still in preparation, with tunnel
boring machines ready to launch, while elsewhere along the route, viaducts,
bridges, and embankments are steadily being built. The Colne Valley viaduct,
now the longest rail bridge in the UK, is complete, and tunnel boring machines
have made significant progress, with over 70 percent of deep tunnel
excavations finished.
Despite construction progress, costs remain a major issue. Originally
estimated at around £55 billion, the budget has spiralled, with the latest figures
suggesting the London to Birmingham section alone could exceed £70 billion.
Inflation, supply chain challenges, and changes to the project’s scope have all
contributed to rising costs. The decision to scrap the northern leg was framed
as a cost-saving measure, but critics argue it undermines the original purpose
of HS2, which was to create a fully integrated high-speed rail network
benefiting the whole country.
While financial concerns dominate headlines, HS2 continues to provide
significant employment opportunities. More than 31,000 people are working on
the project, with thousands of apprenticeships created and supply chains
supporting businesses across the UK. The construction process has also
pioneered new engineering techniques, including low-carbon concrete and
innovative viaduct designs that use fewer materials. Environmental
considerations remain a contentious issue, with campaigners opposing the
destruction of ancient woodlands and habitats, while HS2 argues it is
delivering extensive ecological mitigation measures.
The timeline for the operational railway has also shifted. Services were initially
expected to start in the late 2020s, but the latest estimates suggest the London
to Birmingham route will be fully operational in the early 2030s. The project’s
ability to deliver on its promised benefits depends on the successful
integration of HS2 with the existing rail network. The release of capacity on the
West Coast Main Line is expected to improve local and regional services, but
questions remain about whether the project will achieve its full potential
without the now-cancelled extensions to Manchester and Leeds.
HS2’s story is one of ambition, political turbulence, and ongoing debate.
Despite setbacks, the project is moving forward, with tangible progress visible
along the route. The next few years will be critical in determining whether the
UK’s largest infrastructure project can ultimately justify its cost and deliver the
benefits promised to passengers, businesses, and the wider economy.
