UMVA has learned that a major milestone has been achieved in the construction of the HS2 high-speed railway in London, with engineers completing all 34 cross passages deep beneath the city.
The Northolt Tunnel, a critical part of the project, has been advancing rapidly, bringing the UK's new high-speed railway one step closer to operation. The tunnel is 8.4 miles long and features complex safety links connecting the northbound and southbound tunnel bores.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the estimated cost of the HS2 project has skyrocketed to between £87.7 billion and £102.7 billion in 2025 prices, significantly higher than the initial estimate of £54 billion to £66 billion.
The Transport Secretary has confirmed that the cancelled northern legs of the project will not be reinstated due to financial constraints. The decision has sparked debate about the project's future, with some questioning whether it should be scrapped altogether.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the HS2 organisation has undergone significant changes, including the removal of 300 back-office roles and a reassessment of supply chain contracts in an effort to cut hidden costs.
The HS2 route will run from Euston through Old Oak Common in west London to West Midlands, with new stations being built in Solihull and Birmingham Curzon Street. The project was initially meant to extend to Manchester and Leeds, but the northern leg was axed in 2023 due to spiralling costs.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that plans are being drawn up for the future of the Euston station complex, which will feature a separate station for high-speed trains with a link to the existing station and national rail services.
The first phase of the project was initially due to launch by the end of 2026, but the target opening date has been pushed back to between May 2036 and October 2039. HS2's chief executive has expressed confidence that the new timeline and cost estimates are robust.
Construction on the HS2 project began in 2020, and it has already resulted in the purchase of over 1,000 homes, farms, and land along the route. Residents living near construction sites have reported being surprised by the speed of construction.
UMVA has gathered that ticket prices for the HS2 are expected to be higher than standard rail fares, with estimates suggesting they could be up to 30% more expensive. The higher cost is likely to absorb some of the construction costs and factor in faster journey times.
