The Mayor Boris Johnson and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin have agreed to work together, along with the London Borough of Camden, Network Rail and HS2 Ltd, to ensure the coordination of rail and construction projects to help transform the Euston area.
A new strategic board will be established to advise the Secretary of State on the development of the station during the construction of High Speed 2 (HS2) and any plans for the wider area.
The board will look at the new HS2 station, and proposals for both the redevelopment of the existing Network Rail station and for a potential new Crossrail 2 station.
Together these proposals would help to transform this part of central London, leading to a huge increase in transport capacity and connectivity in the area, as well as helping to support major economic development, including thousands of new homes and jobs.
The board will include representatives from the Department for Transport, the London Borough of Camden, Transport for London (TfL), the Greater London Authority, HS2 Ltd and Network Rail. It will focus on how to ensure coordination between the projects in the area, in order to maximise the development opportunities and reduce disruption to passengers and communities caused by construction work.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson MP, said: “HS2 provides a once in a lifetime chance to transform the Euston area. I welcome the commitment by the Secretary of State to establish a new joint board to oversee the wider redevelopment of Euston, including HS2, plans for the redevelopment of the existing Network Rail station and proposals for Crossrail 2. Together, these schemes will support the implementation of the Euston Area Plan and deliver up to 3,000 homes and 14,000 jobs.”
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “HS2 Ltd’s plans for Euston are the first step towards creating a station of which both the local community and national passengers can be proud. The new strategic board I have set up with the Mayor will help ensure that HS2 Ltd, TfL, Camden Council and Network Rail, take a joined-up approach to the station development and maximise the opportunities for growth. The government will work closely with the Mayor and the board in progressing plans for Euston.”
Simon Kirby, HS2 Ltd CEO, said: “Working together with the community and key partners, we are committed to ensuring that local people and businesses, as well as passengers, benefit fully from the arrival of HS2 at Euston. This agreement marks another step towards creating a Euston of which the community, London and the UK can be proud.”
The Euston Station Strategic Redevelopment board will be established early in the New Year.
The board will look at a number of areas, including a comprehensive approach to the redevelopment of Euston station. In addition, they will oversee a number of studies including:
- Reducing the impact of HGV traffic on local roads by maximising the use of the rail network
- Creating new east – west links through Euston station from Eversholt Street
- Considering how links to the site of a potential Crossrail 2 station at Euston could be enhanced.
- Minimising impacts on bus and cycle networks