A section of new railway linking HS2 to the existing West Coast Main Line has been delayed, as work prioritises the core high-speed route between Birmingham and London. HS2 Ltd said the stretch between Curdworth, Warwickshire, and Handsacre near Lichfield in Staffordshire, already on hold since 2023, would be delayed for a further four years.

The firm said some essential construction work would continue in the area, and it remained "fully committed" to completing the 18-mile (29km) section. Ian Cooper, leader of Staffordshire County Council, said his area had "borne the brunt of HS2's impact without receiving any tangible benefit".

The new delay, first reported by the FT on Wednesday, comes as part of a reset ordered by HS2's chief executive Mark Wild amid what the firm admitted were "serious cost and schedule challenges". It involves prioritising the core stretch of the line between Old Oak Common, in north-west London, and Birmingham Curzon Street.

HS2 Ltd said: "This pause will mean that the benefits of HS2 are felt by passengers and businesses as quickly as possible while protecting the use of taxpayers' money." The firm plans to open this before the final stretches to Handsacre and the line's central London terminus at Euston.

Image: HS2