Camden responds to Prime Minister statement on HS2
Following a long period of uncertainty, the Prime Minister has today confirmed phase one of High Speed 2 (HS2) will be built between Birmingham and London Euston. He has also announced that the phase two leg of the project running from Birmingham to Manchester has been scrapped.
Camden Council has responded to this announcement:
We have avoided the worst-case scenario of Euston being left abandoned in its current state. However, we now must ensure that Camden, our partners and the local community shape its future.
“Our residents and businesses have endured years of disruption and blight – homes have been knocked down, businesses lost and open space destroyed.
“The Prime Minister’s proposal to take £6.5 billion from Euston must not lead to the promises made to our community on affordable housing, jobs and investment locally being broken.
“Camden Council is ready to lead a development in Euston that delivers for our community and the country. This means the council, our key partners in London and our local community in Euston, having not just seats at the table but the power to lead and make our vision for Euston - and the life-changing opportunities that it will provide - a reality.
“What is clear though is that opportunities will be diminished by this project being cut short at Birmingham. Manchester’s residents and businesses have been let down today and cutting phase two will have a hugely detrimental effect on not just Manchester but Camden and Birmingham. We urge the Prime Minister to reconsider this decision.
