Rail chiefs miss meeting as Frank Dobson urges estates to fight HS2 - Engineers refuse to face residents

Published: JOSIE HINTON

ENGINEERS charged with transforming Euston station into a mega-terminus for high-speed trains have refused to face people whose homes are threatened with demolition.

Residents from the Regent’s Park and Cobourg estates packed Dick Collins Hall on Tuesday night seeking reassurance over the future of their homes.

But their questions remained largely unanswered as representatives of High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd, the company behind the plans, declined to attend.

Instead, Camden Council’s Labour leader Councillor Nasim Ali was left to face the wrath of residents, who accused him of “sitting on the fence” over the issue.

Up to six council blocks – 365 homes – could be bulldozed to allow for the expansion of Euston station.

Kicking off the meeting, Labour MP Frank Dobson, who alerted constituents to the proposals a year ago, said: “I do take a firm view – I am utterly opposed to HS2. If you want to have a high-speed rail network, Euston is about as bad a place to bring it into as it is possible to imagine. Euston has no access to the Heathrow Express or Crossrail. It’s absol­utely useless as a major connection for the rest of the country. The only reason I can fathom that they picked Euston is that’s where trains for Birmingham have always come to.”

He told residents: “If you don’t put up a fight it will happen. If you put up a fight it may still happen but at least you will have put up a fight. I think this proposal is in severe trouble.” 

The first roadshow for the government’s public consultation on the project begins today (Thursday), but no event is scheduled for Regent’s Park estate, where Ainsdale, Eskdale, Silverdale and Stalbridge House  blocks face demolition.

Robert Latham, a former Labour councillor who chaired the meeting, said no explanation had been given for the omission. Pointing at the empty seat beside him, he told the audience: “The empty seat is for HS2. You may well ask why HS2 are not here tonight. 

“You will also notice that no roadshow will be held in Regent’s Park. Instead, you will have to tussle with commuters wanting to speed up their journey to Birmingham at the roadshow in Euston. This may indicate how seriously HS2 takes those who live in this ward.”

Labour environment chief Councillor Sue Vincent said: “I remain sceptical that this project is financially viable – there is a 1:5 benefit cost ratio – and I am sceptical there will be environmental benefits.”

But the meeting heard that the council’s position was still undecided. Cllr Ali said: “I am here to listen. I can’t tell you what the council’s response is going to be. When I know what your views are I’ll make a decision.”

He added that residents’ feedback would be given to High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd during a meeting with the council scheduled for Tuesday.

A near-unanimous show of hands registered opposition to the scheme. Iris Ellis, 85, said: “I’ve lived in Eskdale since it was built in 1954 and I have no desire to move anywhere else. 

“There’s also a 92-year-old man in our block – why does he want to move at his time of life? He was a prisoner-of-war in Japan and now to be treated like this is disgraceful.”

The first roadshow will be staged today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) at Euston station.

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