The London Assembly today called for a review of the cost-benefit case of High Speed Two (HS2) as the potential detrimental impacts to London become clearer.
While it continues to support the principle of high-speed rail, the Assembly would like the environmental – including air and noise pollution and loss of green space – economic and transport impact quantified fully and valued for use in the cost-benefit analysis of HS2. If the scheme is to go ahead, route and design options need to be considered – especially in London – to minimise the costs, environmental impact and the restrictions on future development of London’s rail network.
The Assembly’s Transport and Environment Committees’ responses highlighted a near 30 per cent increase[1] in estimated costs for both phases[2] against original estimates.
The Committees’ responses said extension of tunnelling should be considered – beyond West Ruislip through Ickenham to the Colne Valley – to counteract negative environmental impacts. The Assembly also highlighted that the impact of linking HS2 at the Euston terminus must be considered as it would lead to the number of passengers continuing their journey by public transport approximately doubling at peak times[3], cyclists increasing by almost nine times and pedestrians quadrupling once the line is built.
The construction of HS2 would destroy over 200 homes and cause extensive damage to green spaces and local communities[4], stated the Environment Committee’s response. The construction period, which is expected to last around 10 years, will also lead to significant noise around building sites and increase traffic congestion, which will impact on air quality, yet there is a lack of detail about the compensation package for local people affected or how the mitigation measures will be implemented.
Given the predicted increase in passenger and cyclists at Euston, the Transport Committee’s response states current plans fail to deliver sufficient passenger improvements at the station or consider how to make onward journeys safer. The response asked for assurances that HS2 would not jeopardise funding for vital investment in other parts of the rail network.
Today’s call for a review comes as both Committees submit their respective responses to two Government consultations[5] on HS2.
Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, said:
“HS2 could have a devastating impact on communities and habitats across London and the information provided to date is totally inadequate. We need to know much more about how any damage will be addressed and people compensated for the loss of homes, green spaces and community facilities.
“There is an opportunity to fill in these gaps and review its costs and benefits before the plans reach Parliament and we hope that the Government and High Speed 2 Ltd will look again at how to avoid the worst impacts and consider route options such as whether the line needs to come into Euston and how the station is designed if it does.”
Valerie Shawcross AM, Chair of the Transport Committee, said:
“There are many questions about value for money and shortcomings in the current plans for High Speed 2, not least in how London’s already overcrowded transport system will accommodate a doubling of passengers using Euston station. Proposals for linking with HS1 are also unacceptable as this development would halt future development of the popular North London Line.
“The Government and High Speed 2 Ltd also need to improve their plans and seriously reconsider proposals for a tunnelled connection, which would enable operators to make use of Stratford International.”
Environment Committee – Draft Environmental Statement Response (summary)
Focussing on the potential environmental impacts, the Environment Committee said HS2 would destroy hundreds of homes and cause extensive damage to green spaces and local communities.
The new rail line from London to Birmingham will lead to the permanent loss of over 200 homes, 13 road closures and the relocation of a school[5] in central London. In outer London it will also lead to the partial destruction of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, ancient woodland, sites of national importance for bird conservation. The construction period, which is expected to last around 10 years, will also lead to significant noise around building sites and increase traffic congestion, which will impact on air quality[6].
However, the Environment Committee said compensation measures for the loss of homes and habitats are inadequate, there are no details of mitigation measures on noise and little details on how air quality issues will be monitored and addressed.
The Committee called for modelling work on pollution to be completed without delay, more information on mitigation for noise and environmental damage and said HS2 Ltd should consider and make public all options on the possible route within London. It also called on ministers to consider extending tunnelling[7] in west London to reduce the negative impacts, which would see the creation of a viaduct up to 15 metres high through the Colne Valley.
Transport Committee – HS2 Design Refinement Consultation Response (summary)
The Assembly’s Transport Committee said current plans fail to deliver passenger improvements at Euston, which is a missed opportunity, and calls for improvements to onward travel for passengers and safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Committee also expressed concern about the impact of the scheme – both in the construction phase and once HS2 is operational – on residents in Hillingdon. Traffic disruption would last for seven years, causing congestion and pollution, increasing safety risks to cyclists and pedestrians, and affecting bus routes.
The response goes on to say proposals for a HS1-HS2 link remain unacceptable in light of restrictions on future development on the North London Line, and the Committee calls on the Government to re-examine proposals for a tunnelled connection which could enable operators to make use of Stratford International.
Notes to Editors
Read the Environment Committee response and the Transport Committee response.
- On 20 January 2012, the cost of HS2 was estimated to be £32.7 billion. On 26 June, Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP said the new estimate, including £12.7 billion contingency, was £42.6 billion. Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, Hansard 26 June, Column 343.
- HS2 will connect later with Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds. There is a proposed connection in London to the High Speed One line (from the Channel Tunnel to London), and potential for a branch to Heathrow.
- Currently, Euston receives 23,000 passengers in the morning peak and with HS2, it would be expected to rise to 55-60,000
- Permanent loss mainly on the Regent’s Park Estate; Hampstead Road open space would be lost and St James’s Gardens reduced in size by 75%.
- Read about the two consultations: Draft Environmental Statement or the HS2 Design Refinement Consultation
- A site is being sought for Maria Fidelis School in the Camden Borough.
- The construction process is expected to generate vehicle emissions, dust and congestion around Euston station which already has serious problems with pollution. Central London is only expected to reach compliance with international directives on air quality between 2021 and 2025.
- Tunnelling the 4.5km Colne Valley stretch, combined with the 21km tunnel already proposed from West Ruislip to central London, would largely complete the runnelling of the line in Greater London and join up with the Chilterns tunnel.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more details, please contact Sheena Craig in the Assembly Media Office on 020 7983 4603/4283. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, on 020 7983 4100.