Most blighted borough to mount legal challenge to HS2

Date:   Friday 17th February 2012

Camden, the borough with the most at stake if High Speed 2 goes ahead, has issued a stark ultimatum to the Government that they will go to court if it has to.

A minimum of 216 homes demolished - more that double the 107 homes set to be lost across the rest of the whole line.  A further 264 Camden homes will be put at risk by the proposals by reasons of their proximity to the line.  Camden will also suffer a decade of ‘blight’, where vital regeneration and other developments will be delayed or scrapped because of the uncertainty created by HS2.

Camden Council has today [Thursday 16 February] served a formal “letter before claim” -the first step towards a legal challenge- on the Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening MP, identifying legal flaws in the Government’s decision to proceed with HS2.

Unless it receives a satisfactory response Camden intends to mount a legal challenge by joining the 51M group – an alliance of local authorities opposed to the line. Camden does not want to be put in a position of incurring tens of thousands of pounds in legal costs to pursue a judicial review, but the Government is giving us no option.

In addition to fears about the legality of the decision, Camden is also concerned that the Government has not offered any binding commitments that address the impact of the line and in particular by the Government’s failure to:

* guarantee up-front funds to mitigate the loss of housing, businesses, open space, community facilities and secondary school in the local area
* deliver funds to secure the National Temperance Hospital site for new replacement housing
* put appropriate measures in place to minimise the blight, disruption, noise and disturbance at Euston and along the route including for properties above the tunnel, at vent shaft locations and along the HS1/2 route.
* demonstrate support for businesses, most notably Drummond Street, that will experience disruption as a result of the lengthy construction period;
* properly manage the impacts caused by Euston station development which is  being used a cash cow generating income to pay for works elsewhere rather than addressing potential blight and other impacts of HS2 on the Euston area
* provide sufficient investment to manage onward movement of passengers at Euston

Councillor Sarah Hayward, Cabinet Member for Communities, Regeneration and Equalities said:

“We remain bitterly disappointed with the Government’s response to Camden, which is the most blighted borough in the country.

“We think the Government’s decision to proceed with HS2 is a catastrophic mistake and has not been taken correctly.  We are talking about people’s homes and businesses- not golf courses. The Government’s approach is flawed and we will fight this decision brick by brick if we have to.

“Taking this course of action is by no means an easy decision, but we have simply been given no alternative. The government has so far ignored the plight of local people and disregarded the impact this scheme will have on local communities.

“We are asking the government to reconsider the decision to proceed with HS2. If they fail to do so, we will have no choice but to take further action.

Notes for editors

* Council officials and senior councillors met with Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening, on Wednesday 8 February
* On Wednesday 1 February, Camden Council held a public meeting at Christ Church School for anyone affected by HS2. Almost 200 people attended to share their views and listen to updates from MP Frank Dobson and Councillor Sarah Hayward
* 51m is a group of 18 local authorities joined together in a national campaign to actively challenge HS2
* A total of 216 Camden homes will be demolished and a further 264 will be at risk of demolition
* At least 20 business premises and a variety of listed buildings will be destroyed and a number of the borough’s open spaces will be lost
* The Maria Fidelis Convent School site on North Gower Street will also be significantly impacted due to its proximity to the line
 
Local case studies - residents or businesses- available on request.

Ref Code:   PR 1582
Contact:
    

pressoffice@camden.gov.uk