Plans to complete HS2 at Euston remain “a good way off” and a swift resolution for the site needs to be reached urgently, the rail body’s two commissioners have said.
HS2’s independent residents’ commissioner Stewart Jackson said the plans for HS2’s London terminus remained “unclear and undefined”.
In their latest report, published on today (24 April), Jackson and Mike Worthington, the rail body’s independent construction commissioner, called for clarity on the plans.
“We remain a good way off having a clear outline for the new terminus at Euston,” Worthington said.
“Inevitably, this will cause more uncertainty and distress for local residents. I hope that all parties involved in the decision-making process will focus upon this as quickly as they can.”
The Labour government confirmed in October that HS2 will run to Euston, but it remained tight-lipped on any plans to pay for the rail terminus with public money. No announcements on funding have been made since.
“Despite a commitment for funding via a third party development body and support for and confirmation that in last year’s Autumn Statement that HS2 would terminate at Euston, there is little clarity on timescale or budgets or a clear plan to fund the £6bn extension,” Jackson said.
Two tunnel vent shafts have also been on hold since October 2023, despite a go-ahead to start on tunnelling between Old Oak Common and Euston Station. Worthington confirmed that there “is no firm plan to complete the works” at either Canterbury Road or Adelaide Road.
“This may provide a welcome, temporary respite for local residents but […] it adds to the uncertainty and lengthens the time that the community will be impacted,” he added.
Initially, HS2 will run to Old Oak Common, and at a later date run to the Euston terminus.
Worthington also called on Buckinghamshire Council to “reflect on matters” concerning an underground spring chamber and ditch, which was refused planning permission last week.
HS2 has already warned that the decision to block it from completing the work could push up its costs by tens of millions of pounds, as it will not be able to move forward with plans to build the Wendover Green Tunnel project.
The planning application included an upgrade to a crucial farm lane in Wendover. The Environment Agency had requested that HS2 build the spring chamber to mitigate “severe environmental impacts” relating to groundwater flow.
In the report, Worthington said he had “some sympathy with local residents but […] would urge the community, officials and politicians to reflect on matters”.
“I have worked closely with HS2 Ltd as they have reviewed and adapted their plans and as they considered the alternatives, almost all of which are impractical and far from cost-effective,” he said, adding that HS2 had “gone a long way” to minimise its impact on the local area.
Worthington added that “time costs money” in major construction projects like HS2.
“Delay in obtaining consent could result in significant changes to the wider construction timetable for the area as well as considerable extra costs,” he said.
“Locals need to weigh up whether it is better to have a short, managed impact or more major delay which will extend the overall impact on Wendover and other communities, beyond what is necessary for the current build.”
A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd said its chief executive Mark Wild was resetting HS2 to deliver the railway at “the lowest feasible cost” to operate within its annual budgets.
“As part of this process HS2 has rescheduled some works from 2025, with lower impact on the initial phase between Old Oak Common and Birmingham,” he said.
“Construction on associated works including the tunnel shafts, headhouses and station approaches will start at a later date.”