Lord Berkeley (left) and Lord Bradshaw. Their alternative plan has received the backing of rail experts from across the country

Published: 16 May, 2013
by TOM FOOT

TWO peers are “surprised” after their alternative plan to “save Camden” from a decade of works appeared to be ruled out by HS2 Ltd in a statement to the New Journal.

“Euston Cross”, drawn up in detail by the Lib Dem Lord Berkeley, chairman of the Rail Freight Group, and the Labour Lord Bradshaw, has received backing of rail experts across the country.

The scheme would have saved hundreds of homes from demolition by tunnelling into Euston and setting up an underground passenger walkway to St Pancras and King’s Cross.

It would mean there would be no need to shut down and rebuild the popular North London Line.

Detailed designs were due to be submitted to HS2 but a spokesman for the government-funded  company said yesterday (Wednesday) the propo­sal “could not be constructed” and would have to involve “relocat[ing] the Somers Town community”.

Lord Berkeley, who lives in Holborn, told the New Journal: “We are surprised to hear HS2’s reasons for rejecting the Euston Cross proposal before it has been discussed with them in detail. We intend to continue to develop this alternative strategy.”

He added: “The big failure with HS2 is that it is it affecting too many people and the damage it will do to Camden, both near Euston and up by Camden Road.

"It also doesn’t provide a through connection from Euston to St Pancras.”

HS2 announced this week that it will launch a consultation on the environmental impact of works to the North London Line in the next few weeks.

The current overground tracks – used by millions of passengers each year – would need to be widened to take the bigger trains under the current scheme.

The Camden Lock and Camden Road bridges would be demolished with major works to five others in Camden.

This would have a “devastating impact” and “jeopardise” the £300million Hawley Wharf development, according to the leader of the council, Sarah Hayward.

In an email to councillors, she added: “It is also likely to cause years of disruption to residents, business and visitors as roads are closed, train services are disrupted and construction works take place.”

A HS2 spokesman said Euston Cross would cost “something like £5billion” – compared to the £1.18bn for Euston– and that its current proposals would allow trains to more easily continue on to Kent and the Continent, adding: “Our current proposals for a link between the HS2 and HS1 lines are more suited to predicted demand.”