A protest in Drummond Street in 2023

DRUMMOND Street traders have slammed the latest proposals to redevelop the HS2 Euston land saying their businesses will be cut-off from the new station.

Oli Uddin, chair of the Drummond Street Traders Association, warned that the latest Euston Masterplan “reneges” on a long-standing guarantee that there would be an entrance to the newly developed station at the end of the street.

Drummond Street is among the worst affected areas in Camden from the HS2 railway that has smashed down businesses, homes, a public park and a secondary school while severing off a crucial link of passing trade in Euston.

Responding to a consultation over the latest broad-stroke set of guidelines for future developments in Euston, published by Lendlease and the Crown Estate, Mr Uddin said: “In all the previous iterations of the plans for the new station at Euston, it has been recognised that there should be a direct link from the new station into Drummond Street.

“We are extremely concerned that the current iteration of the Euston Masterplan reneges on this commitment. It is apparent from the consultation that the entrance is now to be onto Starcross Street. This is totally unacceptable.

“We are also concerned to see that Drummond Street is to be the servicing access to the new station. Again, this is unacceptable. This would have a major detrimental impact on the business in Drummond Street.

“Although traders are currently against the pedestrianisation of Drummond Street, this is an option which must be preserved for the future.”

For more than 60 years, Drummond Street has developed as a unique area in Camden with a number of curry houses, shops and businesses. It has a strong British Bangladeshi identity. The Drummond Street Traders employ local people and many of the long-standing customers have been going there since they were students.

The latest Euston Area Masterplan has been published by Lendlease and the Crown Estate which are steering the project after striking a deal with the Department of Transport. A final decision on what plans are approved will be made by what is called the Euston Development Corporation, led by the Mayor of London.

Mr Uddin added: “The current plans would threaten the very survival of our vibrant community. We would urge you to reconsider the proposals for Drummond Street.”

The DST was among hundreds of groups, residents and businesses from Camden that took part in the “petitioning” process to the HS2 Select Committees in both the House of Commons and the Lords more than 10 years ago.

“Both Houses recognised the importance of the community that has been established in Drummond Street and the threat posed to it by the construction of HS2,” Mr Uddin said. “The DST secured a number of assurances from both Select Committees. In particular, HS2 is required to maintain a direct access between Euston Station and Drummond Street. The impact of the construction works on the street has been much greater than HS2 indicated to the Select Committees.”

Mr Uddin has called for a meeting with the companies about the new plans that were made public last month. Details of what is being proposed is available on the new Euston Masterplan website.

The project is being branded as Euston X and suggests that a planning application will be made to Camden for a 500 square feet office block on the former site of St James’ Gardens. A petition has been set up online to properly “restore green spaces” bulldozed by HS2.

Announcing the latest version of the Euston Area Masterplan last month, Lendlease said: “Euston is at the centre of one of the UK’s largest infrastructure programmes, bringing together a new high-speed rail (HS2) terminal, a redeveloped mainline rail station, a major upgrade to the Tube station, and the 60-acre Euston Masterplan.

“The Masterplan will deliver new homes, jobs, workspace and public spaces, playing an important role in the area’s future.”