HS2 Chief and Rail Minister quizzed by Transport Committee
The Transport Committee will dissect the causes of HS2’s cost overruns and delays and ask what lessons can be learnt for the delivery of future infrastructure projects.
Meeting details
HS2 Ltd Chief Executive, Mark Wild, makes his first appearance at the Committee since taking on the role in December 2024.
As the project moves from civil engineering work to building the railway line, Wild could be asked what lessons he will apply from his time overseeing Crossrail, and what could be learnt from major projects in other countries.
The cross-party Committee is likely to ask the panel for the reasons why cost forecasts were underestimated and why HS2 has missed key milestones. Mr Wild has suggested that the project was started too early and with insufficient planning.
A lack of clarity and consistency about the strategic case for HS2 – journey times, connectivity or added capacity – will be on MPs’ minds.
The Committee may also ask about the political process – whether there should have continued to be a Minister for HS2 (as suggested in the recent Stewart Review), about the flaws of using a hybrid bill to obtain planning consents, and DfT’s oversight of the project.
The panel is also likely to take questions on the skills and capability gaps at HS2 Ltd, and failures in its governance.