Camden becomes latest local authority to threaten legal action over HS2

The London Borough of Camden has become the latest local authority to threaten legal action over the proposed HS2 high-speed rail project.

The authority this week sent a letter before claim to Transport Secretary Justine Greening, setting out what it claims are ‘legal flaws’ in the decision to go ahead with the line.

In a statement, Camden said it remained “strongly opposed” to HS2. In particular, the authority claimed that the Government had failed to offer binding commitments to address the line’s impacts.

Camden said these impacts included:

• the demolition of at least 216 homes, with a further 264 homes at risk of demolition;
• the loss of at least 20 business premises;
• the destruction of listing buildings and open spaces;
• the effect on a convent school site close to the line.

“Deciding to take this course of action was not easy, but we have been given no alternative,” the authority said.

Camden added that unless it received a satisfactory response, it would be joining the 51M group.

This alliance of 19 local authorities opposed to HS2 announced plans earlier this month to challenge the Government’s decision. The group’s grounds for challenge are expected to include inadequate consultation.