The Leader of the Council's statement on the delay to Euston Station

The community around Euston have lost homes, schools and businesses to HS2. They’ve already lived through years of disruption with no end in sight. If there is a delay, HS2 must not forget the promises they made to our community and must continue to deliver on them.

What we can’t have is a partially abandoned building site, with huge areas fenced off creating a barrier between our communities, and a general stagnation which leads to opportunities being lost. Instead, HS2 Ltd. need to make sure they open up the site where it is safe to do so and work with our communities on how they can be used during any delay. 

Local roads such as Hampstead Road and Euston Road risk being virtually unusable for years. HS2 must ensure any delay enables the restoration and improvement of this places, by reopening closed pavements and bus stops, and making walking and cycling safer and easier.

HS2 Ltd. must use this time to ensure their plans deliver a new Euston Station, which is a fully integrated terminus for both HS2 and Network Rail trains, and allows maximum space for development of new homes, open space and jobs for our communities. They should also commit to plans for transporting construction spoil and waste by rail instead of road, to help protect the health of our residents.