HS2 classed as 'undeliverable' by Government's Infrastructure and Project's Authority

HS2 joined Crossrail and the East West Rail (Western section), in being classified as “unachievable” by the government’s Infrastructure & Project’s Authority (IPA).

The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) is the United Kingdom government's centre of expertise for infrastructure and major projects.

The IPA sits at the heart of government, reporting to the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury.

They use a colour coded chart to assess deliverability and the costs of major projects.

HS2's rating is currently amber/red, with that rating now having been downgraded to red in the latest report.

An amber/red rating means: "Successful delivery of the project is in doubt, with major risks or issues apparent in a number of key areas.

"Urgent action is needed to address these problems and/or assess whether resolution is feasible."

And a red rating is described as: "Successful delivery of the project appears to be unachievable.

"There are major issues with project definition, schedule, budget, quality and/or benefits delivery, which at this stage do not appear to be manageable or resolvable. The project may need re-scoping and/or its overall viability reassessed."

Of the 34 infrastructure and construction projects measured, five were classified as red meaning successful delivery of the project, in terms of time and budget, appears to be unachievable.

The project has been widely criticised in Buckinghamshire and Aylesbury Vale, and is set to cut a swathe through beautiful countryside, affecting numerous local businesses in the process.

The route is set to cut through Stoke Mandeville, Fairford Leys and Wendover.