The governments infrastructure watchdog has given the projects a red rating in its annual report, published on Thursday (16 January), meaning they have major issues with project definition, schedule, budget, quality and/or benefits delivery.The New Hospital Programme, which was touted to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030 and to rebuild a further five hospitals largely made with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, was also given a red rating.The report defines red-rated projects as those where: Successful delivery [] appears to be unachievable. There are major issues with project definition, schedule, budget, quality and/or benefits delivery, which at this stage do not appear to be manageable or resolvable.Adjaye Associates plans for a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens has been given a red rating for the consecutive third year. The project remains on hold while the government tries to overturn a Victorian law prohibiting construction in the gardens.AdvertisementThe Holocaust Memorial Bill was reintroduced by the government in July 2024, more than two years after the High Court ruled to uphold the London County Council (Improvements) Act 1900, which holds the site cannot be built on.Meanwhile, HS2 Phase 1 remains under construction, including stations at Old Oak Common, Solihull and Birminghams Curzon Street designed by WilkinsonEyre, Arup and Grimshaw respectively.The mega-project is not due to complete until the early 2030s and, as plans stand, will not carry passengers into central London. The development of an HS2 terminus at Euston Station is still shrouded in uncertainty as stakeholders consider how to build a more affordable scheme.Other projects given a red rating in the IPAs annual report include the UK Health Security Agencys plans for a science hub in Harlow. Last year the National Audit Office said the cost of the project had increased sixfold, to 3.2 billion, with an opening date of 2036 at the earliest.In a foreword to the report, Georgina Gould, parliamentary secretary at the Cabinet Office, repeated the governments pledge to publish a national infrastructure strategy in spring, saying that it would set out government investment in schools and hospitals as well as energy and transport projects.AdvertisementGould also hailed the forthcoming creation of a National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, which is set to combine the functions of the IPA and National Infrastructure Commission.She said the body would have an enhanced role in supporting major projects, bringing oversight of strategy and delivery into one organisation, developing and implementing our 10-year national infrastructure strategy and driving more effective delivery of infrastructure across the country.2025-01-20Will Ingcomment and share