Effects of Euston are “critical” to London, Mayoral candidates told
Leader of Camden Council Councillor Sarah Hayward has written to London Mayoral hopefuls highlighting the “critical effect a new Euston Station will have on the lives of Londoners”.
You can read the letter in full on our website.
Camden Council remains opposed to HS2 due to the decade and more of disruption it will cause the borough’s residents and businesses. However, if HS2 goes ahead, we want a commitment to a properly funded plan that improves the current Euston Station and benefits Camden.
The Euston Strategic Board* has commissioned work on a growth strategy to further set out the vision of the Euston Area Plan, the council’s joint plan for the area with Transport for London and Greater London Authority. This could see up to 1,900 much-needed affordable homes, up to 14,100 new jobs and replacement open space created at Euston.
However, current plans for Euston Station, the proposed terminus for High Speed 2 (HS2), do not commit to redeveloping the existing station or to putting tracks all on one level.
Letters were sent to all Labour and Conservative candidates as the Conservatives confirmed their four-man shortlist for the Mayoral race over the weekend (25-26 July 2015).
In her letters to candidates, Cllr Hayward says: “There is currently no commitment from the government to develop the current dilapidated station, already a frustration for passengers. Continuing failure by HS2 Ltd to commit to lowering all the tracks to one level will mean we would lose the potential to deliver 6,000 jobs, 1,000 homes and £400m of economic value.”
“Comprehensive development of Euston Station would unlock the site to the homes greatly needed in the face of a housing-crisis and create a truly accessible station that would meet commuters’ travel needs and open the station up to business opportunities and the local community.”
The Government is set to announce its latest thinking on Euston when it issues Additional Provision 3 (AP3) to the HS2 Bill in September.
*The Euston Strategic Board is made up of representatives from Camden Council, Greater London Authority (including the Office of the Mayor), Department for Transport, Transport for London, Network Rail and HS2 Ltd.
More information
Camden Council opposes plans for HS2 as currently proposed. If the government does go ahead with the scheme, Camden is committed to securing the best deal for our communities. Find out more here.