With HS2 soon to undergo a fundamental reset, it has assessed its achievements in 2025.

The 23 miles of deep-bore tunnels between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street have all been excavated, 70% of the earthworks programme is now complete, and nearly 300,000 tonnes of steel have been used. Work is now underway to complete the line’s civil engineering work before the next stage begins, when the track, signalling, and communications systems will be installed.

Mark Wild, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd., is now looking ahead at what is needed to complete the project, including ensuring the construction programme is in the right order, and defining the line’s final costs and opening dates.

Work completed during 2025 included:

• Installation of around 1,500 viaduct segments, which compares with 860 in 2024.
• The first platforms were constructed at Old Oak Common station.
• The 345-metre-long Small Dean viaduct, the heaviest and longest single-stage viaduct deck slide on the project, was slid into position.
• A massive 14,500-tonne box structure was slid into position under the A46 Kenilworth Bypass.
• Two twin-bore tunnels were excavated to complete the excavation of all deep tunnels on the line.
• A 749-metre section of the River Cole near Coleshill in the West Midlands was realigned, in preparation for the construction of new viaducts and embankments.
• Construction of the 2.1-mile-long Colne Valley viaduct in Buckinghamshire over the River Colne and the Grand Union Canal was completed.

2025 also saw a significant reset of the project, including:

• Tightening cost controls.
• Establishing a new construction schedule.
• Significantly strengthening the leadership team, with a new chair and six new non-executive directors.
• Started changing HS2 Ltd. from a bureaucratic, outcome-focused organisation by slimming down the corporate centre.

After assessing the project at the beginning of 2025, Mark Wild advised the Transport Secretary that the planned opening of the line in 2029/2033 could not be achieved, using the same methodology when he reset Crossrail, which led to a successful opening of the Elizabeth Line.

“I made a commitment to the Transport Secretary that I would address the failures of the past and get HS2 on track. It’s clear that we can only do so with a fundamental reset. Over the last year, we’ve been through the programme with a fine-tooth comb, and we’re now very close to establishing a clear path forward. However, we’ve not stood still. We had to deliver a safe and productive year while HS2 was reset, and I want to thank the 34,000 people working on the project every day for their tremendous hard work. The solid progress they’ve made in the last year gives us strong foundations to build upon. We’ve shown what can be done, and I expect that to continue throughout 2026 and beyond as we deliver HS2 as safely and efficiently as possible and for the lowest reasonable cost.”Mark Wild, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd.,