HS2 highlights 'year of progress' at end of 2025 including Kenilworth bypass bridge slide
HS2 has today (Monday December 29) published figures to show “significant headway” being made on the construction of the high-speed rail line both above and below throughout this year while emphasising that its initial goal of having the railway open by 2033 “cannot be achieved”.
The company has said that the project, which is Britain’s biggest infrastructure programme, has “undergone a fundamental reset” which has led to its construction contractors exceeding many of the targets set for them this year.
In 2025, around 1,500 segments of viaducts have been installed compared with 860 in 2024 - an increase of 75 per cent.
The figures also show that 70 per cent of earthworks required for the railway have been completed to date – almost 105 million cubic meters.
They also show that 69 per cent of steel needed for HS2 - almost 300,000 tonnes - has been used, with the majority being sourced from UK companies.
HS2 has also said that 88 per cent of the foundations for the railway – almost 23,000 in total – have now been sunk.
The company has about 350 active work sites along the route between London and Birmingham and said that this year it has increased the number of staff in front-line construction roles to help drive productivity.
It has made a number of construction achievements throughout the year including a record first as engineers slid a massive 14,500-tonne box structure into position under the A46 Kenilworth Bypass in April.
The structure, believed to be the heaviest of its kind in Europe, allows high-speed trains to pass under the dual carriageway.
Another feat included the completion of the project’s biggest natural river realignment.
A 749-metre section of the River Cole near Coleshill in Warwickshire was realigned to make way for new viaducts and embankments.
December marks the first anniversary of Mark Wild’s appointment as chief executive of HS2 Ltd.
He said: “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.”
In June, the Government's Spending Review confirmed funding of £25.3bn to deliver HS2 between London Euston and the West Midlands over the next four years.
Following his initial stocktake at the start of the year, Mr Wild provided advice to the Transport Secretary confirming that the railway’s 2029/2033 opening schedule could not be achieved.
HS2 said “it has since been finalising a new range of credible cost and schedule estimates”.
For more on HS2’s progress update visit https://www.hs2.org.uk/what-is-hs2/hs2-project-update/