HS2 chief operating officer Richard Robinson has resigned after just a year in the role, as doubts continue to surround the future of the project.

The future of HS2 remains mired in doubt after the government announced an independent review into ‘whether and how to proceed’ with the project back in August. 

The Oakerveee review is now currently underway, and a decision on whether to proceed with HS2 is expected by the end of the year. 

Prior to joining HS2, Robinson spent four years as AECOM’s chief executive of civil infrastructure, where he led the company’s civil infrastructure in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa. He previously held senior roles at Heathrow Express and the mining company Anglo American.

Commenting at the time of his appointment by HS2 last year, Robinson said: “I am thrilled to be joining the team at HS2 Ltd. Working on Europe’s largest infrastructure programme is an exciting prospect and I look forward to playing my part in a project that will leave a significant legacy here in the UK.”

Fast forward 12 months and HS2 chief executive Mark Thurston said: “We can confirm that chief operating officer Richard Robinson has decided to leave HS2 Ltd to take up a new senior role in the private sector. We wish him every success in his new position.”

Robinson joined HS2 in September 2018, and it is understood that the role is to be covered by existing staff in the short term.