HS2 Confirms 30,000 Workers on 350 UK Sites

LONDON, UK – High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd. has issued a progress update following the May 2024 appointment of CEO Mark Wild. The project reports that four out of five twin-bore tunnel excavations between London and Birmingham are now complete. A detailed review is currently in progress to bring certainty to the project’s final schedule and costs.

What Is the Full Scope of This Project?

The update covers Phase One of the HS2 project, connecting London and Birmingham, which currently employs 30,000 people. Construction is active across 350 separate sites, with major civil engineering works including 676 major structures, 52 viaducts, and 169 bridges. To date, the project has also moved 108 million cubic metres of earth and provided employment for 5,645 previously unemployed individuals and 2,032 apprentices.

Key Project Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Projects?

HS2’s scale and challenges are comparable to other major high-speed rail developments globally, such as the California High-Speed Rail Project in the United States. That project is also progressing in segments, with bidding for new sections planned for later in the year, highlighting a similar phased approach to delivering complex, long-term infrastructure (Source: Construction Dive, 2026). The contractors involved in HS2, such as Strabag (part of the SCS JV), are among the largest in the country; Strabag maintained a top position in UK construction league tables with five projects worth £2.93 billion between May 2025 and April 2026 (Source: Construction News, 2026).

Editor’s Analysis

The appointment of Mark Wild and the immediate launch of a programme “reset” signals a critical effort to regain control over HS2’s narrative, budget, and schedule. This move aims to restore political and public confidence by establishing a definitive baseline for cost and delivery, a common tactic for mega-projects facing scrutiny. This mirrors a global trend where large-scale infrastructure investments, like California’s HSR, require periodic strategic reviews to adapt to evolving economic conditions and ensure continued viability.

FAQ

Q: What is the current status of HS2’s tunnelling work?
A: According to the update, excavation for four out of the five twin-bore tunnels between London’s Old Oak Common station and Birmingham is complete. The final tunnel boring machines are currently advancing towards the London Euston station site.

Q: What is the purpose of the programme review mentioned by Mark Wild?
A: The review was initiated to put the programme’s construction in the correct sequence and to bring certainty to the railway’s final costs and opening dates. This “reset” is intended to be the final one before the project’s completion.

Q: How many jobs has the HS2 project created for apprentices and the unemployed?
A: The project has provided roles for 2,032 apprentices, with two-thirds aged 16-24. Additionally, 5,645 people who were previously unemployed have secured work on HS2.