Main contractor Balfour Beatty Vinci decided to stop works at local sites on its 90km section of the line from Long Itchington to Handsacre in Staffordshire following an accident on Thursday 18 June.

A phased restart of works started on June 24 following a review of safety procedures.

But workers have contacted the Enquirer raising concerns about their wages.

One said: “We have only been paid for one day after being told by our agency to stay at home and wait for a call.

“I was off the job for a whole week and expected to get paid for that whole week. Our agency said the subcontractor we are working for is waiting to hear back from HS2 about payments.”

Another said: “I was stood down for ten days and have only received a day’s pay.

“A lot of lads are here from all over the country long-term so you can’t just sit in your lodgings shrugging off the loss of wages for something that is not your fault.”

HS2 has been contacted for comment.