HS2 rail line could be further delayed to cut costs, says boss

Talks under way with UK government over timings of project as prices of materials soar

The boss of HS2 has said that construction of the high-speed rail line could be further delayed in an effort to curb costs.

Mark Thurston, the chief executive of HS2 Ltd, said soaring inflation had resulted in significant increases in the price of materials, raising the already ballooning cost of the much-delayed project to link London, the Midlands and the north of England.