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(BUTTON) Search with google * Make a contribution * Subscribe * (BUTTON) International edition + switch to the UK edition + switch to the US edition + switch to the Australia edition * Search jobs * Dating * Holidays * Digital Archive * Discount Codes * The Guardian app * Video * Podcasts * Pictures * Newsletters * Today's paper * Inside the Guardian * The Observer * Guardian Weekly * Crosswords * Facebook * Twitter * Search jobs * Dating * Holidays * Digital Archive * Discount Codes * UK * UK politics * Education * Media * Society * Law * Scotland * Wales * Northern Ireland (BUTTON) More HS2 This article is more than 3 years old HS2 boss quits before key decision on high-speed rail project This article is more than 3 years old Simon Kirby announces departure as transport secretary is due to decide on phase two of controversial network Jamie Grierson @JamieGrierson Sat 10 Sep 2016 17.24 BST First published on Sat 10 Sep 2016 15.43 BST * Share on Facebook * Share on Twitter * Share via Email Simon Kirby [ ] Simon Kirby, who reportedly earned £750,000 a year at HS2, is going to Rolls-Royce. Photograph: Network Rail/PA The boss of HS2, the company behind the UK’s planned £55bn high-speed rail network, has announced he is leaving just weeks before the transport secretary is expected to make a key decision on the controversial project’s future. Simon Kirby, who reportedly earns £750,000 a year as chief executive at Europe’s largest infrastructure project, is to become chief operating officer at the engineering firm Rolls-Royce. Anti-HS2 campaigners accused Kirby of “getting out before the true scale of the mess he has presided over is realised”. Chris Grayling, who was recently appointed as transport secretary by Theresa May, is expected to make a decision on phase two of the route, from the West Midlands to Leeds and Manchester, this autumn. In June, the National Audit Office said HS2 could be delayed by a year, with the 2026 target date for opening phase one between London and the West Midlands being “at risk”. Birmingham and Fazeley viaduct, part of the proposed route for the HS2 network. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Birmingham and Fazeley viaduct, part of the proposed route for the HS2 network. Photograph: HS2/PA The Stop HS2 campaign manager, Joe Rukin, said the project was beset by major problems and Kirby could not justify his salary. “The departure of Simon Kirby will be a serious blow to those who champion HS2, though many of us are at a complete loss to see just exactly what it is he has done to justify his three-quarters of a million pay packet.” Kirby, who joined HS2 in May 2014 from the board of Network Rail, said his experience delivering a major project “on time and to budget” would be applied at Rolls-Royce. “The ability to deliver major programmes on time and to budget is essential, and I am looking forward to bringing my experience to bear on these complex challenges and to leading the current programme of industrial transformation,” he said in a statement on the Rolls-Royce website. In May, it emerged Britain’s most senior civil servant, Sir Jeremy Heywood, was reviewing HS2 as fears grew that the high-speed railway could not be built within budget in its current form. HS2 is supposed to alleviate the capacity crisis on the railways, which are struggling to cope with the highest number of passengers since the 1920s. The economic benefits of getting business travellers between major cities quickly have been estimated at more than £40bn. The boost would come in the form of new jobs, homes and businesses, according to the accountancy firm EY. But the project has been plagued by cost problems since it was first mooted under the last Labour government. There was an increase of nearly £10bn in 2013 and recently a £5bn rise to reflect inflation. The HS2 chairman, Sir David Higgins, said the company would miss Kirby. “Whilst naturally we will miss his experience and leadership, I also recognise that he is joining a truly great, global company in an industry in which he has previously worked.” The Rolls-Royce chief executive, Warren East, said: “His exceptional track record in delivering complex major programmes is highly relevant to Rolls-Royce and will strengthen management capability ahead of a period of significant expansion.” Topics * HS2 * Rail transport * Transport policy * Transport * Rail industry * news * Share on Facebook * Share on Twitter * Share via Email * Share on LinkedIn * Share on Pinterest * Share on WhatsApp * Share on Messenger * Reuse this content more on this story * HS1 owners consider sale after receiving offers Deal by Canada’s Borealis and Ontario Teachers is unlikely to affect day-to-day services on the high-speed line Published: 8 Dec 2016 HS1 owners consider sale after receiving offers * The Guardian view on Chris Grayling’s rail plans: small-minded, ideological and partisan Editorial: The UK government is putting more money into transport infrastructure but its dogmatic approach again risks benefiting the south at the expense of the north Published: 6 Dec 2016 The Guardian view on Chris Grayling’s rail plans: small-minded, ideological and partisan * Network Rail to lose sole control of rail maintenance Transport minister Chris Grayling believes using Virgin, Southern and other private firms will lead to savings, sources say Published: 3 Dec 2016 Network Rail to lose sole control of rail maintenance * Southern rail owner's chief operating officer lands HS1 top job Dyan Crowther to leave Govia and become CEO of high-speed link between London and start of Channel tunnel in Kent Published: 26 Sep 2016 Southern rail owner's chief operating officer lands HS1 top job * + 'A very British form of privatisation': readers on Grayling's rail plans Published: 6 Dec 2016 'A very British form of privatisation': readers on Grayling's rail plans + HS2: the zombie train that refuses to die Published: 7 Jun 2016 HS2: the zombie train that refuses to die + Plans for Transport for London to take over capital's rail lines ditched Published: 6 Dec 2016 Plans for Transport for London to take over capital's rail lines ditched + A modern rail network in Scotland is long overdue Published: 21 Nov 2016 A modern rail network in Scotland is long overdue (BUTTON) More more on this story Most popular * UK * UK politics * Education * Media * Society * Law * Scotland * Wales * Northern Ireland * News * Opinion * Sport * Culture * Lifestyle IFRAME: /email/form/footer/today-uk + Contact us + Complaints & corrections + SecureDrop + Work for us + Privacy policy + Cookie policy + Terms & conditions + Help + All topics + All writers + Digital newspaper archive + Facebook + Twitter + Advertise with us + Search UK jobs + Dating + Discount Codes Support The Guardian Available for everyone, funded by readers Contribute Subscribe Back to top © 2020 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. 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