The BBC understands that the opening of HS2 will be delayed beyond its 2033 target date.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to inform Parliament on Wednesday that delivering the railway line on time and within budget is infeasible, though the extent of the delay remains unannounced.
She will present findings from an independent review, attributing the escalating costs to widespread project failures.
This marks yet another setback for the high-speed rail project, which has faced repeated delays and scale-backs.
Alexander is anticipated to highlight that Conservative governments oversaw a £37bn cost increase for HS2 between its 2012 approval and last year’s general election.
Initially, HS2 aimed to connect London to major cities in the Midlands and North of England via high-speed rail, enhancing capacity and reducing travel times. However, the project has encountered numerous challenges and substantial cost overruns.
The project has already been scaled down to a London-Birmingham link, following the cancellation of the Birmingham-Manchester leg in 2023 due to spiraling costs, as then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt stated.
This followed the 2021 axing of the planned eastern leg between Birmingham and Leeds.
Initial 2010 estimates projected a £33bn cost and a 2026 opening. Last year, the Department for Transport estimated the remaining cost at £45bn-£54bn (2019 prices), while HS2 management suggested a figure as high as £57bn.
Wednesday’s announcement will include the findings of a review by former Crossrail CEO James Stewart, commissioned last year to examine oversight of major transport infrastructure projects. A new CEO, Mark Wild, was appointed in October 2022 to address cost control issues.
The US currently lacks high-speed rail service, though two projects are under construction, with more planned.
Planners have stalled a scheme to manage natural springs along a section of the line.
Coventry is developing new tram technology, potentially introducing driverless trams.
HS2 launched a bootcamp to train local workers for construction roles, boosting employment.
Southeastern Railway reports that reduced track costs announced on January 6th could lead to expanded service offerings.