00:02HS2 was originally sold as a way to add rail capacity, improve connections and support growth across the Midlands and
00:09beyond.
00:09But the project has repeatedly been scaled back, delayed and criticised as costs have continued to rise over recent years.
00:18Sir Stephen Lovegrove's review published on Tuesday says early failings included political pressure for progress and a focus on achieving
00:26the highest possible speeds.
00:28That helped create a bespoke, heavily engineered railway, adding complexity and cost to delivery.
00:36Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has told Parliament the government is resetting the project, with lower speeds being considered as parts
00:44of efforts to save money.
00:46The line was designed for trains running up to 360 kilometres an hour, faster than any conventional railway operation.
00:55Ministers have now set a revised position on the scheme, including its timetable and expected costs.
01:02Trains are not expected to run by the current target of 2033 and costs are expected to exceed £100 billion.
01:10For the West Midlands, the central question is what will actually be delivered after years of change.
01:17The eastern leg to Leeds has been cancelled and the Birmingham to Manchester section has also been scrapped, leaving the
01:24London to Birmingham route the only one remaining.
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