This site is of interest to all those affected by the "preferred" High Speed Rail route from Euston to Birmingham.
The period for comment on the Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS) ended on the 17th June. Large numbers of Primrose Hill residents wrote in using the objection letter drafted by Richard Millett QC. Along the route as a whole over 6,500 people wrote in to HS2 Ltd.
However, despite numerous representations, properties above the tunnel have been and remain excluded from the compensation scheme.
Under the previous Government, the Department for Transport headed up by Lord Adonis announced in Parliament that a company "High Speed Two Ltd" had been set up to to run a High Speed Rail (HSR) connection between London and Birmingham.
In an announcement to the Lords and Parliament on the 20th March 2010 it was stated that having examined a variety of routes and options, none of which were subject to public consultation, a single route had been 'recommended' by HS2Ltd and that the Government was 'endorsing' this route. Subject to 'public Consultation in the autumn'. The timetable has now been changed so that 'consultation' will take place in the New Year. This route, running from a newly and greatly enlarged Euston would run in a tunnel less than 20 meters below the streets of Primrose Hill and Swiss Cottage (measured from the track) emerging at a newly constructed interchange at Old Oak. It would then continue in a tunnel until it emerged in West London.
Additionally, a link will now be made between HS1 at St Pancras and Old Oak Common. The link will run overground to a tunnel entrance to be dug by the Regents Park Road bridge.
Following the 'consultation, this route will be enshrined in a Hybrid Bill to be put before Parliament next year. Details of the timetable can be found on the top reference bar.
Building the new and much enlarged Euston terminus would involve compulsary purchase and demolition of over 300 homes in the environs of the station, the extension of platforms which would bring additional railway infrastructure into the Park Village area and extensive tunneling which would begin from beneath the Edinburgh Castle pub at the top of Parkway. This expansion and tunneling is being proposed without the benefit of any current soil analysis, vibration or environmental impact studies on any of the areas affected.
