A senior Camden politician has hit out at the “unacceptable uncertainty” around HS2, after reports that the high speed line might not terminate at Euston.

Cllr Georgia Gould, leader of Camden Council, said that the news would raise fears among residents that “they will have to endure years of disruption for absolutely no benefit”.

Her comments came after The Sun reported that the redeveloped Euston station may not open until 2038, and could be axed completely.

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Trains would instead stop at a new hub at Old Oak Common in west London.

But earlier today, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt claimed that he did not see “any conceivable circumstances” in which HS2 would not run to Euston.

Cllr Gould said that HS2 must deliver on its promises and provide “new homes, green spaces and opportunities” for Camden residents.

She added that the project “must not walk away and abandon” residents after leaving “a deep scar” in the community, including knocking down 200 homes.

Complexities around the Euston site meant high-speed services were already due to temporarily start and end at Old Oak Common, with passengers using the Elizabeth line to travel to and from central London.

That would add at least half an hour onto journeys to and from Euston.

Ham & High: HS2 trains were originally planned to run between Euston and BirminghamHS2 trains were originally planned to run between Euston and Birmingham (Image: PA)

Phase One of HS2 involves the railway being built between London and Birmingham, with the line extended from the West Midlands to Crewe in Phase 2a.

Phase 2b will connect Crewe to Manchester and the West Midlands to the East Midlands.

The planned extension to Leeds was shelved in November 2021.

Construction of a 4.5-mile long tunnel between Old Oak Common and Euston was expected to begin in 2024 and take two years to complete.

Cllr Gould said: “These reports represent more unacceptable uncertainty to a project which has already knocked down 200 homes in Camden and razed sections of our borough to the ground.

“HS2 construction has left a deep scar in our communities - our residents have had their homes knocked down, their schools and businesses have been demolished and their green space has been removed.

“Our residents will fear that they will have to endure years of disruption for absolutely no benefit at the end of it.

"They must see the new homes, green spaces and opportunities they were promised - HS2 must not walk away and abandon our communities.”

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