Home Working and Inflationary Pressures Slowed Down HS2 Project: Watchdog

Working from home is slowing down all infrastructure projects in the country, including HS2, an expert in the sector has told the Treasury Committee, adding that the impact of inflation on the costs was also significant. Speaking about the impact of hybrid working on keeping to deadlines in major infrastructure projects, Nick Smallwood said, “All infrastructure projects are impacted in the design phase if those designers don’t work directly in the office.” Mr. Smallwood is the chief executive of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), a body that consults the Cabinet Office and the Treasury on infrastructure ventures. Mr. Smallwood said that working from home had affected the delivery of HS2....