Mark Wild, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, has used his latest project update to reinforce the programme's revised ambition of opening the railway between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street "in 2037, or earlier".
Filmed at the Euston Skills Centre, the August update offered fresh insights into how Britain's largest infrastructure project is progressing and provided valuable intelligence for contractors, consultants, suppliers and investors tracking the scheme's future direction.
Since taking over amid continued scrutiny of costs and delivery timelines, Wild has consistently stressed the scale of the challenge facing HS2. In his latest briefing, he was keen to position the 2037 target as a realistic and carefully developed baseline rather than a new promise.
"The reference case is our route home to deliver that challenging ambition," he said.
Central to that strategy is the completion of the programme-wide"reset" currently being undertaken by HS2 Ltd's leadership team. Wild confirmed the organisation is aiming to complete the exercise by April 2027, creating a clearer pathway towards delivery.
A major milestone is expected in 2029, when HS2 plans to complete the bulk of civil engineering works between Old Oak Common and Curzon Street. That achievement would pave the way for large-scale track installation, railway systems integration and operational preparations.
For the rail supply chain, this timeline is significant. While major civils activity remains at the heart of the programme today, the coming years are expected to see growing demand for expertise in signalling, power systems, track installation, communications, and rolling stock-related infrastructure.
Construction Progress Across the Route
Wild highlighted several recent achievements that demonstrate continued progress across the project.
In Birmingham, installation of the second bridge beam at Curzon Street Station marks another step towards completing the station structure. HS2 has also awarded the contract for the Washwood Heath depot, a critical facility that will support long-term train maintenance and operations.
Further south, HS2 Ltd and Booth Industries have completed the first trial installation of a cross-passage door. Although a relatively small component, the doors form a vital safety feature throughout the railway's tunnel network and will be replicated extensively across the route.
Tunnelling activity continues to advance, with the Copthall tunnel now complete. The structure is the first of five planned "green tunnels" designed to reduce both visual and noise impacts on neighbouring communities.
Wild also pointed to an example of sustainable construction in practice. Material excavated from the Northolt tunnel has been reused as backfill at Copthall, reducing waste, cutting transport movements and minimising environmental impact.
Updated Contracts Signal Long-Term Confidence
The latest update follows confirmation that major civil engineering joint ventures EKFB and Align have signed revised contract agreements with HS2.
The moves align with a series of updated civil engineering arrangements announced by HS2 during the summer and provide an additional indication that long-term delivery planning is being strengthened as part of the wider reset programme.
Combined with increased apprenticeship recruitment and ongoing investment in skills development, HS2 continues to represent one of the UK's largest infrastructure supply chains.
The project currently supports more than 30,000 workers across over 3,500 UK businesses, underlining its continued economic significance despite ongoing debate over cost and scope.
Safety and Communities Remain Key Priorities
Safety featured prominently in Wild's update.
"30,000 colleagues working on this project... deserve to go home fit and healthy just as they arrived," he said.
He also stressed that"good can always be better" when discussing health and safety performance across the programme.
Alongside operational performance, HS2 continues to focus on engagement with communities located along the railway route. According to Wild, the company has conducted more than 10,000 individual community engagements during the past six months and has distributed £23 million through its community fund to date.
Industry Focus Turns to Delivery Milestones
While questions remain around final costs and overall funding requirements, the latest update provides further evidence that construction activity continues at pace across stations, tunnels, depots and major civil engineering assets.
Notably, Wild stopped short of providing an updated overall budget for delivering the railway by 2037, a detail that many industry observers will continue to watch closely.
However, for rail technology providers, engineering consultants, contractors and investors, the message is clear: HS2 remains firmly in delivery mode.
With civil engineering expected to peak over the next few years before systems and railway installation works accelerate, the project is entering a critical transition period that could shape procurement opportunities across the sector for the remainder of the decade.
As the industry continues to assess the implications of HS2's reset, Wild's monthly project updates are becoming an increasingly important indicator of progress, providing a valuable window into future milestones, contracts and delivery priorities.
Image credit: HS2
