HS2 rejects cost claim on redesigns

HS2 Ltd says estimates of the cost of redesigns to its future trains are incorrect.

The i newspaper quoted a figure of nearly £200 million to adapt the trains for the variation of platform heights at stations they will serve on the conventional network (RAIL 1017).

HS2 confirmed to RAIL that the rolling stock design is undergoing a series of changes, including to the step between the train and the platform, as well as to the number of doors on the trains, plus some smaller amendments.

“However, there is no finalised cost of these changes and claims that the platform/train interface redesign will cost £200m are well wide of the mark,” a spokesman said.