Andrew Dismore

Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden  Andrew Dismore AM  today questioned the Mayor’s Chief of Staff David Bellamy and  the GLA Development  Chief Fiona Fletcher-Smith  over HS2 and the option of a temporary terminus at Old Oak Common. (See clip of my questions here)

Mr Dismore said:

‘Could I explore with you the pros and cons of HS2 terminating temporarily at Old Oak Common? In July last year the Mayor said:

 

“I have been clear that I would like to understand whether HS2 could terminate at Old Oak on a temporary basis to minimise disruption and allow for a better overall solution for Euston station. This is something that I am discussing with Transport for London”.

 

‘Can you confirm what the results of the discussion were and whether Old Oak Common could become a temporary terminus?

 

‘Even if the Government were to give the go ahead for Crossrail 2, on the present plan and timetable it would be 4 years or so behind the completion of HS2 into Euston.

 

‘Given that the Northern and Victoria Line platforms at Euston and indeed Kings Cross are even now often closed at rush hour due to overcrowding, how could the onward transport network cope with the predicted large number of additional HS2 passengers?

 

‘Isn’t the only workable option to terminate HS2 temporarily at Old Oak Common to link in with Crossrail 1, so that HS2 and Crossrail 2 at Euston could be brought into sync, and also to allow a proper scheme for the comprehensive redevelopment of Euston to be put in place too?’

‘This was a precedent with HS1, which terminated temporarily at Waterloo, until a proper scheme for St Pancras came through.’

 

Fiona Fletcher-Smith agreed. She said:

 

‘We are still pushing on this. We have capacity problems today before HS2 adds to them. Before Crossrail 2, the problems are extreme. Now the Bill has Royal Assent, the Department for Transport (DfT) needs to get on with the detail. The issue is to pressure the Government to address Euston. A temporary solution should not become permanent. Old Oak Common is very much part of the capacity issue in the short term.’

 

David Bellamy said:

 

‘You are very right to identify the pressure that exists. We submitted the Crossrail 2 outline business case to DfT this week. It is important to address the issues at Euston. It is essential to London’s economy to make the Crossrail case.’

 

Notes for editors

On 8 June 2016, Mike Brown, TfL Commissioner responded to a question on whether Crossrail could cope with a HS2 terminus at Old Oak Common by saying:

“There are two answers to that.  In the short term, from the first phase of HS2 opening from about 2026 to 2030, there probably is scope or the ability to carry some of the traffic.  Clearly, we are both concerned.  We are all concerned about ensuring that Crossrail 1 does not end up hugely overcrowded before it even gets to Paddington, which is the reason why that short window in the timeline would be available if we had to get to that point.

“However, it is important really to get the overall scheme recognised and co‑ordinated properly with the right level of engagement with local residents, as you rightly said.  I was very encouraged, as the Mayor was, with the first meeting we had with the Chair of HS2 the other day that I will certainly follow up with the Chief Executive and there will be more meetings in due course[1].”

On 8 June 2016, the Mayor said:

“The solution that I talked about recently was temporarily having Old Oak Common as a terminus whilst works around Euston can be done to bring it up to the standard that you expect for Euston as a station, taking into account the concerns around blighting and the concerns that the residents and the businesses have.

“Mr Higgins [HS2 Chairman Sir David Higgins] reassured us.  The Commissioner and I met him together and Deputy Mayor Valerie Shawcross was with us as well.  He reassured us that he is working closely with Camden Council to make sure a solution is found that works for everyone.  You may want to ask the Commissioner what he thinks about this, but I was reassured that HS2 seemed to understand that at the moment the plans are not fit for purpose for you and your constituents and that they need to amend their plans to make them fit for purpose.[2]”

On 20 July 2016 the Mayor said

“To manage pressure on the network, London needs an HS2 station at both Old Oak Common and Euston. I have been clear that I would like to understand whether HS2 could terminate at Old Oak on a temporary basis to minimise disruption and allow for a better overall solution for Euston station. This is something that I am discussing with Transport for London.[3]”

In September 2016 HS2 Ltd said the following during a Transport Committee Briefing:

“Old Oak Common will be a new intermediate station constructed for HS2. It has also been proposed as a temporary terminus for HS2 as an alternative to Euston. However, HS2 consider this is not feasible as the station would not be able to cope with the demand. TfL has also said Crossrail would not be able to accommodate the number of passengers transferring from HS2 if Old Oak Common is the terminus. Furthermore, there would be opposition from cities in the North of England, which want direct services to central London.”

[1] London Assembly Plenary, 08.6.2016

[2] ibid

[3] Question to the Mayor, 20 July 2016