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Understand

Kate Lamble investigates the extraordinary inside story of Britain's most ambitious and controversial rail project.

Radio 4,11 episodes

Episodes

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Derailed: The Story of HS2
Trailer
The inside story behind HS2. Has a high speed dream become an almighty mess?
07 Jul 2025,4 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
1. The Railwayman
HS2's story begins with a blank piece of paper.
14 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
2. Mutually assured exaggeration
HS2 makes its case to ministers, but fault lines rapidly emerge.
15 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
3. That can’t be right
Protest groups begin to organise as the line's route is announced.
16 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
4. Well Done Geoffrey
Costs mount as compromises with protesting locals are struck
17 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
5. Worry About the Detail Later
Dissent grows within HS2 itself.
18 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
6. The Only Friend that Mattered
As HS2 faces fresh threats, a new prime minister steps in.
21 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
7. Gold Plated
HS2's contracts with major firms become a new focus for critics.
22 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
8. Help I’m Under a Digger
HS2 begins building, and environmental protestors make their presence felt
23 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
9. You Can Do One
Rishi Sunak is faced with the decision of what to do about HS2's future.
24 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
10. The Bear Trap
Kate asks: What next for HS2?
25 Jul 2025,14 mins