Rail link: Don’t call us ‘HS2 nimbys’

CAMDEN’S environment chief has told a House of Commons committee she will not accept being dismissed as a “well-off nimby” over her opposition to the HS2 rail link.

The government’s Transport Select Committee, chaired by Labour MP Louise Ellman, took evidence from Labour councillor Sue Vincent on Tuesday over the impact a high-speed line between London and Birmingham would have on Euston.

Cllr Vincent fought back against claims by Tory MP Kwasi Kwarteng that opponents to the plans were largely “wealthy,” “educated,” “white”, “middle-class” people who simply do not want the line to pass near their homes. 

She told the committee: “The Regent’s Park estate, which will be the area most impacted, is 40 per cent ethnic minority. It is a very different community to the one described. It is economically deprived. 

“We in Camden are very short on open space, we have huge housing issues but also we are the third biggest economic driver in London, so we are used to taking difficult decisions.”

“We have experience with King’s Cross and St Pancras [developments] so we have experience of this. But we have to remember the people in the ward closest to the station already live 10 years less than people in Hampstead. 

“The concern that we have about HS2 coming into Euston is about access and aggressive dispersal of passengers coming in.”

Supporters of the HS2 project have accused  those opposed to it of being economically privileged “nimbys” (standing for Not In My Back Yard). A recent advertising campaign in favour of the scheme targeted northern cities with the strapline “their lawns or our jobs?”.

But Cllr Vincent told MPs there were other issues to consider such as the impact it would have on the existing tube network and the North London line.

She said: “I’m particularly concerned about the lack of assessment that’s been done on the impact on Euston. We haven’t seen any evidence or analysis of why Euston. 

“I think the case for having Old Oak Common hasn’t been made yet and that’s one of our basic premises. Old Oak Common would certainly reduce disruption at Euston.”

And the councillor for Holborn Covent Garden said the proposals were already scaring much-needed investment away.

“It is clear with businesses that are proposing to invest in Camden that blight has already taken hold,” she added.

• Campaigners gathered at Euston station on Monday for the unveiling of a giant anti-HS2 poster. Uncovering the slogan, “Euston we have a problem,” Labour MP Frank Dobson said: “If you’re against the high-speed rail network you’ll be against Euston as the terminus. 

“If you’re in favour of a high-speed rail network you’ll still be opposed to Euston as the terminus. As a terminus it is useless: it doesn’t connect to Heathrow or Crossrail and the tube system is already crowded. 

“The people that are making these decisions don’t use public transport. When somebody said you’re a nimby I said it’s more serious than that. It’s ‘not through my front door’.” 

Published: 14th July, 2011
by JOSIE HINTON