The much-anticipated launch of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail line is set to face yet another delay, with government sources confirming that the opening will likely slip beyond the previously projected 2033 date.
The revised timeline, which has not yet been formally announced, raises fresh concerns over the future of the UK’s flagship infrastructure project—already plagued by budget overruns, political controversy, and phased-down ambitions.
Initially billed as a transformative high-speed link between London, the Midlands, and the North, HS2 has faced repeated setbacks. The latest delay reportedly affects the remaining phases of the project, including the critical Birmingham to Manchester leg, which is now unlikely to be operational before the mid-2030s.
Sources close to the Department for Transport cited inflationary pressures, construction bottlenecks, and logistical challenges as key factors behind the projected timeline shift.
“We remain committed to delivering HS2 in a way that provides value for taxpayers,” a DfT spokesperson said. “However, complex infrastructure of this scale must be delivered in a phased and realistic manner.”
Transport experts warn that further delays could impact economic regeneration plans tied to HS2, particularly in northern cities that were counting on improved connectivity to boost growth.
The news has drawn criticism from opposition parties and business groups, who accuse the government of mismanaging the project and undermining public trust in large-scale infrastructure delivery.
Meanwhile, campaigners opposed to HS2 point to the delays as evidence the project should be scrapped or dramatically scaled back.
As the government reassesses its infrastructure priorities amid tight fiscal conditions, the future of HS2 appears increasingly uncertain—with costs mounting and timelines slipping further into the distance.