This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0wr7nw7wxo

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Opening of HS2 line set to be delayed beyond 2033 Opening of HS2 line set to be delayed beyond 2033
(32 minutes later)
The opening of HS2 will be delayed beyond the target date of 2033, the BBC understands.The opening of HS2 will be delayed beyond the target date of 2033, the BBC understands.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to tell Parliament on Wednesday that there is "no reasonable way to deliver" the railway line on schedule and within budget - but is not expected to say how long the delay will be.Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to tell Parliament on Wednesday that there is "no reasonable way to deliver" the railway line on schedule and within budget - but is not expected to say how long the delay will be.
She is set to outline the findings of an independent review into HS2, in which a "litany of failure" has been blamed for ballooning costs. She is set to outline the findings of two reviews into HS2, one of which a "litany of failure" has been blamed for ballooning costs.
It is the latest setback for the high-speed rail project, which has been scaled back and delayed repeatedly.It is the latest setback for the high-speed rail project, which has been scaled back and delayed repeatedly.
Alexander is expected to say that Conservative governments presided over the cost of HS2 rising by £37bn between 2012, when the line was first approved, and the general election last year.Alexander is expected to say that Conservative governments presided over the cost of HS2 rising by £37bn between 2012, when the line was first approved, and the general election last year.
Under the original plans, HS2 was intended to create high-speed rail links between London and major cities in the Midlands and North of England.Under the original plans, HS2 was intended to create high-speed rail links between London and major cities in the Midlands and North of England.
It was designed to cut journey times and expand capacity on the railways, but has has faced myriad challenges and soaring costs. It was designed to cut journey times and expand capacity on the railways, but has faced myriad challenges and soaring costs.
It has already been pared down to a high-speed link between Birmingham and London, with the Birmingham to Manchester leg cancelled in 2023. It has already been pared down to a high-speed link between Birmingham and London, with the Birmingham to Manchester leg cancelled in 2023 due to costs getting "totally out of control", the then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said.
Confirming that decision, the then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said costs were getting "totally out of control".
That was two years after a planned eastern leg between Birmingham and Leeds was axed.That was two years after a planned eastern leg between Birmingham and Leeds was axed.
In 2010, it was estimated HS2 would cost £33bn and open in 2026.In 2010, it was estimated HS2 would cost £33bn and open in 2026.
Last year, the Department for Transport said the remaining project cost was estimated at between £45bn and £54bn in 2019 prices - but HS2 management has estimated it could be as high as £57bn.Last year, the Department for Transport said the remaining project cost was estimated at between £45bn and £54bn in 2019 prices - but HS2 management has estimated it could be as high as £57bn.
On Wednesday, the transport secretary is expected to announce the findings of a review conducted by the former chief executive of Crossrail, James Stewart, which was commissioned last year to "investigate the oversight of major transport infrastructure projects".On Wednesday, the transport secretary is expected to announce the findings of a review conducted by the former chief executive of Crossrail, James Stewart, which was commissioned last year to "investigate the oversight of major transport infrastructure projects".
In a bid to "draw a line in the sand", Alexander will announce the appointment of Mike Brown, the former commissioner of Transport for London to become the new chair of HS2 Ltd.
In October last year, a new chief executive, Mark Wild, was put in place as part of efforts to get control of rising costs.In October last year, a new chief executive, Mark Wild, was put in place as part of efforts to get control of rising costs.