HS2 demolition work could be significantly delayed after bosses admitted that the expected publication of designs for a new Euston Station development would not happen until after next year’s general election.

Camden Council was expecting to see new designs for a skyscraper city likened to a new “Canary Wharf in Zone 1” this month.

Work was due to start in 2017 but could now be at least one or two years later after a meeting in the Town Hall on Thursday heard that “no plans” would be put to MPs until at least July next year.

The delay has been welcomed as a “massive victory” for Town Hall chiefs who claim they will have enough time to work with HS2 on the designs to “get the best deal for Camden”.

Labour’s transport chief Cllr Phil Jones said: “Efforts by HS2 Ltd to engage with the community living around Euston have so far been a bit of joke. Now they have conceded that they need to do better, I expect a real effort to be made to listen to local people and give them a say on what is planned.”

HS2 officials told the New Journal that the company’s new chief executive, David Higgins, is keen that Camden Council is made to feel part of the project during this crucial stage. 

Camden Council is holding a series of meeting concerning HS2 compensation starting today (Thursday) at the London Irish Centre, in Camden Square, at 7pm.