The opening of HS2 will be beyond its 2033 target, as the transport secretary today called the project an “appalling mess”.

Heidi Alexander has called time on “years of mismanagement, flawed reporting and ineffective oversight” on the HS2 high speed rail project.

Describing HS2 as “a litany of failure”, she said “billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money has been wasted by constant scope changes, ineffective contracts and bad management”.

Speaking in the House of Commons, she said there would be delays to the projected adding: “I see no route by which trains can be running by 2033 as planned.”

She said the government will accept all recommendations from the landmark James Stewart review to address years of mismanagement and restore public trust in HS2.

First commissioned by the government in October last year, the report sets out evidence of the historic mishandling of HS2 including a lack of ministerial oversight and scrutiny, inadequate control of the project by HS2 Ltd and a lack of effective incentives with the supply chain, which will collectively cost the taxpayer billions more than planned.

She is also backing the re-set of the project being implemented by Mark Wild, new HS2 chief executive.

He is now being assisted by former Transport for London commissioner Mike Brown, who has been appointed chair of HS2 Ltd.

Wild and Brown worked together on the Crossrail project, transforming it into the Elizabeth Line. They are now being relied on to get HS2 over the line.

The reset programme includes reviewing the costs and schedule, renegotiating HS2’s large construction contracts and reviewing HS2 Ltd’s skills and structure.

The transport secretary has asked Wild to be ready to provide an update on revised costs and delivery timescales at the end of the year.

Alexander said without action Phase 1 of the project alone risks becoming one of the most expensive railway lines in the world – with costs ballooning by £37bn and £2bn wasted on cancelled Phase 2 works.

She added that allegations that parts of the supply chain have been defrauding taxpayers will be “investigated rapidly and rigorously”, adding “if fraud is proven, the consequences will be felt by all involved”.

“This must be a line in the sand. This government is delivering HS2 from Birmingham to London after years of mismanagement, flawed reporting and ineffective oversight,” added Alexander.  

“Mark Wild and Mike Brown were part of the team, with me, that turned Crossrail into the Elizabeth Line – we have done it before, we will do it again.

“Passengers and taxpayers deserve new railways the country can be proud of and the work to get HS2 back on track is firmly underway.”

The initial assessment of the newly appointed CEO, Mark Wild, was also published today, reiterating that the overall project in terms of cost, schedule and scope is unsustainable. He said the project must be delivered “competently and transparently”.