Phase 1 of the scheme between London Euston and the West Midlands was originally planned for completion in 2026, but the National Audit Office (NAO) has now accused the Department for Transport [DfT] of setting an overambitious delivery schedule.
The report claims that DfT and HS2 Ltd are currently only 60% confident that phase 1 will be completed on time.
Amyas Morse, Head of the National Audit Office, said: “HS2 is a large, complex and ambitious programme which is facing cost and time pressures.
“The unrealistic timetable set for HS2 Ltd by the [DfT] means they are not as ready to deliver as they hoped to be at this point.
“The [DfT] now needs to get the project working to a timescale that is achievable.”
This is not the first time that questions have been raised over HS2’s delivery schedule, as the Committee of Public Accounts also voiced concerns over the timetable in a 2013 report.
The DfT has now asked HS2 Ltd to review the construction schedule in order to raise confidence to 80% without increasing costs.
It has also asked the firm to assess the impact of extending the timetable for opening by up to 12 months.
The NAO has warned that the project is already facing cost pressures, with Phase 1 currently forecast to cost £27.4bn, exceeding the available funding by £204m.
Despite the criticism, HS2 Ltd welcomed the NAO report, claiming it provided evidence of the firm’s current progress.
Simon Kirby, Chief Executive of HS2, said: “The role of the NAO is to challenge projects such as HS2 and through that challenge improve the way they deliver for the taxpayer.
“This report does this and we accept that challenge.
“It also, however, recognises the real progress we have made in taking the concept of HS2 and moving it nearer reality.”
Construction of Phase 1 is expected to begin in 2017, while the full HS2 railway is currently due for completion in 2033.
The government recently revealed a compensation package for Phase 2a of the route.
An information event about the scheme will be held in Boddington on 1st July.
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