Camden politicians rail against High Speed Two link

Published: 31st March, 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

LABOUR and Liberal Democrat political rivals agree on something: both parties in Camden came out this week against plans for the High Speed Two (HS2) rail project.

After being accused of dithering about their position and amid growing resentment at the failure to speak out publicly, the Labour cabinet which runs the Town Hall issued a statement opposing the scheme as it stands.

The party’s 10 most senior councillors met on Friday to agree their collective stance. They agreed that the demolition of hundreds of homes on the Regent’s Park estate to make way for the super-fast link between London and Birmingham is “unacceptable”.

The announcement follows two heated public meetings, during which residents accused the Labour administration of “sitting on the fence”.

It is understood the change of heart by some members of the cabinet follows public outcry at the poor deal for Camden under a scheme dismissed as a government “vanity project” by many opponents. Up to 365 homes would be demolished and businesses put at risk if the plans go ahead.

In a joint statement, Camden’s cabinet members said: “As it stands the HS2 proposals are unacceptable to Camden. We oppose them. The loss of our housing, the threat to our communities and blight created by a decade of uncertainty and building works are not mitigated by any significant gain to Camden’s communities that would come close to offsetting this harm. 

“We will fight the proposals for our communities. If the government does decide to go ahead, we will fight to get significantly more council housing and other additional improvements to replace the community amenities under threat.”

Labour environment chief Councillor Sue Vincent, who met HS2 bosses on Tuesday, said she was worried that the government-appointed company mistakenly believed only 190 homes would be lost – while the council’s figure is 365.

She added: “At this late stage, to be going back to confirm such basic details is worrying.”

The council’s ann­ouncement has been welcomed by campaigners who have criticised the lack of information from HS2 during its consultation road shows. Former Labour councillor Robert Latham, who lives in Mornington Terrace, described the caravan parked outside Euston station last week as “no more than a public relations exercise”.

Peter Jones, from Pan-Camden Alliance, add­ed: “The HS2 project is not in the national interest, not in London’s interest and not in Camden’s interest. It is a vanity project which will be environmentally damaging, massively costly and will inevitably drain future investment from the everyday transport systems central to the lives of most people.” 

The Lib Dems have also voiced their public opposition to the scheme. Group leader Councillor Keith Moffitt said: “The current HS2 proposals will mean misery and blight for thousands in return for at best uncertain benefits.

“Camden’s Labour cabinet have been dithering and sitting on the fence over HS2 for months, although it’s clear the proposals are bad for residents and are not even the best option for business or the environment. We have asked for a meeting with transport ministers to discuss our grave concerns.”