HS2’s executive chair, Sir Jon Thompson, is confident that the high-speed rail project will continue progressing in the coming year. He stated that there will be “no let-up” in HS2’s progress, emphasizing that the transition toward railway systems will bring the project closer to completion. HS2 Ltd, a Government-owned company, is responsible for building the high-speed rail link between London and the West Midlands, with plans to extend the route north to Manchester and Leeds being scrapped to reduce costs.
In early 2024, several construction milestones are expected to take place, including the beginning of formal work on central Birmingham’s new Curzon Street station and the completion of the first of two machines digging a ten-mile-long twin-bore tunnel. Additionally, eleven contracts worth around £5 billion will be awarded by HS2 Ltd for railway systems, covering aspects such as tracks, signaling, power supplies, and overhead wires.
According to HS2 Ltd, these contracts will also lead to various developments, including the construction of a control center in Birmingham and a telecom system that will enable uninterrupted phone calls and streaming along the entire route, including in tunnels. Construction relating to many of these contracts is anticipated to begin in 2026 and 2027, coinciding with the conclusion of the main civil engineering work.
Furthermore, work has already commenced on two-thirds of HS2’s viaducts and nearly half of its bridges. In 2023, the project saw significant progress, with notable accomplishments such as the start of platform installation at the new Old Oak Common station in west London and the completion of a twin-bore tunnel beneath Long Itchington Wood in Warwickshire.
Looking ahead to the coming years, Sir Jon expressed his pride in the progress made by HS2 and assured that there will be no let-up in delivery in 2024. He anticipates that the transition in their focus toward railway systems will represent another significant milestone and bring the project “ever closer toward bringing this transformational project to life.” Train services using HS2 are expected to launch between 2029 and 2033. Additionally, HS2 Ltd is currently in the process of recruiting a new chief executive following the departure of Mark Thurston from the role in September.