The HS2 chief executive, Mark Thurston, remained upbeat about his legacy as he announced his resignation, despite six-and-a-half-years of delays, scale backs and blown budgets.
Initially scheduled to open in 2026, the first HS2 trains are now set to leave the platform between 2029 and 2033 due to construction and budgeting difficulties.
Meanwhile, the initial budget of £55.7billion for the whole project has already been spent, despite the route being unfinished and scaled back with the eastern leg of the railway and Euston section temporarily scrapped.
Thurston, 56, conceded that it was time for someone else to take the wheel but remained cheery as he announced his departure.
He said: “The programme has come such a long way and I want to thank everyone who has worked on the project during my time.
“The next 18-24 months will see the project move into an exciting new stage. I have agreed with the board that someone else should lead the organisation and programme through what will be another defining period for HS2.”
HS2 Ltd’s latest annual report shows Thurston received a salary of £617,300 in the 2021/22 financial year, with added benefits worth £5,400.
Thurston’s resignation comes at a crucial moment of Phase One, with construction between London and Birmingham taking place at more than 350 sites.
HS2 IN FOCUS:
- HS2 set to be delayed in frantic bid to claw back costs
- HS2 now set to cost £60BILLION of taxpayer money after budget explodes AGAIN
- GB News host Esther McVey vows to REBEL over tax rises unless HS2 is SCRAPPED
Those in charge of HS2 have been busy tempering expectations recently, as the Government rows back on many of their optimistic plans.
In March, Transport Secretary Mark Harper took the decision to pause work at Euston for two years to give the Government time to figure out how costs had already ballooned to £4.8billion compared with an initial budget of £2.6billion.
Likewise, the eastern leg of Phase 2b from the West Midlands to the East Midlands has fallen down the pecking order.
Excluding the costs of this leg, the mega-quango has depleted the initial £55.7billion budget to the tune of £53billion to £61billion in 2019 prices.
Nevertheless, Harper thanked Thurston for his role in the white elephant’s hot seat.
He said: "As well as successfully overseeing the start of construction, [Thurston] has ensured HS2 has created tens of thousands of skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the country.
“As HS2 enters its next phase, the Government remains committed to unlocking all the benefits of this flagship infrastructure scheme – increasing rail capacity, connecting communities and growing the economy.”
Thurston is set to depart the mega-quango by the end of September, with HS2 Ltd chairman Sir Jon Thompson assuming the interim role of chief executive.
In a parting blow to taxpayers, Thurston said: “Leading this organisation has been the highlight of my career and a privilege from the first day.”
Thurston is HS2 Ltd’s longest serving chief executive, following in the footsteps of Alison Munro (2009-2014) and Simon Kirby (2014-2017).
from GB News https://ift.tt/U4OFtw0
The HS2 chief executive, Mark Thurston, remained upbeat about his legacy as he announced his resignation, despite six-and-a-half-years of delays, scale backs and blown budgets.
Initially scheduled to open in 2026, the first HS2 trains are now set to leave the platform between 2029 and 2033 due to construction and budgeting difficulties.
Meanwhile, the initial budget of £55.7billion for the whole project has already been spent, despite the route being unfinished and scaled back with the eastern leg of the railway and Euston section temporarily scrapped.
Thurston, 56, conceded that it was time for someone else to take the wheel but remained cheery as he announced his departure.
He said: “The programme has come such a long way and I want to thank everyone who has worked on the project during my time.
“The next 18-24 months will see the project move into an exciting new stage. I have agreed with the board that someone else should lead the organisation and programme through what will be another defining period for HS2.”
HS2 Ltd’s latest annual report shows Thurston received a salary of £617,300 in the 2021/22 financial year, with added benefits worth £5,400.
Thurston’s resignation comes at a crucial moment of Phase One, with construction between London and Birmingham taking place at more than 350 sites.
HS2 IN FOCUS:
- HS2 set to be delayed in frantic bid to claw back costs
- HS2 now set to cost £60BILLION of taxpayer money after budget explodes AGAIN
- GB News host Esther McVey vows to REBEL over tax rises unless HS2 is SCRAPPED
Those in charge of HS2 have been busy tempering expectations recently, as the Government rows back on many of their optimistic plans.
In March, Transport Secretary Mark Harper took the decision to pause work at Euston for two years to give the Government time to figure out how costs had already ballooned to £4.8billion compared with an initial budget of £2.6billion.
Likewise, the eastern leg of Phase 2b from the West Midlands to the East Midlands has fallen down the pecking order.
Excluding the costs of this leg, the mega-quango has depleted the initial £55.7billion budget to the tune of £53billion to £61billion in 2019 prices.
Nevertheless, Harper thanked Thurston for his role in the white elephant’s hot seat.
He said: "As well as successfully overseeing the start of construction, [Thurston] has ensured HS2 has created tens of thousands of skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the country.
“As HS2 enters its next phase, the Government remains committed to unlocking all the benefits of this flagship infrastructure scheme – increasing rail capacity, connecting communities and growing the economy.”
Thurston is set to depart the mega-quango by the end of September, with HS2 Ltd chairman Sir Jon Thompson assuming the interim role of chief executive.
In a parting blow to taxpayers, Thurston said: “Leading this organisation has been the highlight of my career and a privilege from the first day.”
Thurston is HS2 Ltd’s longest serving chief executive, following in the footsteps of Alison Munro (2009-2014) and Simon Kirby (2014-2017).
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