Buckinghamshire MPs Unite in Frustration as HS2 Delayed Until at Least 2039

MPs across Buckinghamshire have reacted with anger and frustration after the government confirmed that HS2 trains are now not expected to begin running until between 2036 and 2039 — years later than originally promised.

The announcement was made yesterday (19 May) by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who revealed that the total cost of Phase One of HS2 could now exceed £100 billion, while planned operating speeds will also be reduced from 360kph to 320kph in an attempt to cut costs and speed up delivery.

MP for Aylesbury, Laura Kyrke-Smith said the delay felt like “yet another blow” for residents who have already endured years of disruption from the construction project.

She criticised what she described as “staggering” mismanagement under previous governments, saying investigations had uncovered “tens of billions of pounds” wasted alongside significant environmental destruction and disruption to communities across Buckinghamshire.

Following the announcement, Ms Kyrke-Smith said she met Rail Minister Lord Hendy and HS2 chief executive Mark Wild to press concerns affecting Aylesbury and surrounding areas, including delays returning land to local councils and the slow restoration of countryside affected by the works.

She also renewed calls for a rail link between Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, arguing it would be “transformative” for the town at a fraction of the cost of HS2.

Meanwhile, MP for Mid Bucks Greg Smith described the project as “utter madness” and said it was “bonkers” the railway had ever been approved.

Mr Smith criticised the government statement for failing to address concerns from local residents and landowners still awaiting compensation payments, roads damaged by HS2 construction traffic and unfinished mitigation projects.

He also raised concerns about future operational noise levels through areas such as Wendover, warning that even at the reduced 320kph speed, overnight noise could still have a major impact on nearby communities.

Callum Anderson, MP for Buckingham & Bletchley said the latest delay would come as “a bitter blow” to rural communities in north Buckinghamshire that have already endured years of traffic disruption, noise and road closures caused by HS2 engineering works.

Mr Anderson said residents in villages including Quainton had repeatedly raised concerns about the impact construction has had on daily life and local businesses.

While supporting the need for national infrastructure investment, he said HS2 had become defined by “mismanagement, poor oversight and a lack of accountability”.

Sarah Green, MP for Chesham and Amersham, said: "This railway is costing nearly a billion pounds a mile. Every pound spiralled into cost overruns on this programme is a pound not spent on the local infrastructure my constituents actually use, and desperately need, from securing a routine GP appointment to protecting our national security. 

My constituents endured the brunt of HS2 construction, and we warned that this would be a colossal waste of money. We were right. 

The Department for Transport needs to now commit to ensuring that we will not be here again, discussing HS2 overspend, in a few years' time."

The government says cancelling HS2 altogether would now cost almost as much as completing it, while leaving behind unfinished structures and major environmental damage. Ministers insist the project must now be completed “as quickly as possible and at the lowest reasonable cost.”

HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild acknowledged the latest timetable and cost increases would be “unwelcome news” for communities and taxpayers, but said resetting the project had been necessary to regain control.