# Signal failure: Who killed HS2?

An episode of [The Slow Newscast](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1487320403), 12 Aug 2025, 37 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/acast/s/the-tortoise-podcast/e/6898819bc6d7c56cda16953e/media.mp3

HS2 should have been a symbol of engineering excellence. Instead half of it has been scrapped and it's still running £50 billion over budget. This is the story of how Britain’s largest infrastructure project became its biggest scandal. Reporter: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Jonathan Lewis Artwork: Lola Williams Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett This episode is sponsored by The Life of Chuck. Join us across the UK for a preview screening on Wednesday 13 August, before it hits cinemas nationwide on 20 August. Find the locations and book now at SEEITFIRST.COM and enter the code CHUCK. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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