A Camden politician has hit out at the decision to cut £6.5 million from the HS2 budget for Euston.

Council leader Georgia Gould has said that the decision to repurpose £6.5 million from HS2 in Euston must not result in promises made on housing and jobs in the area being broken.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced at the Conservative Party Conference yesterday (October 4) that he was axing the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the high-speed line.

He confirmed that HS2 would still terminate at Euston, following months of speculation that the line would instead have its terminus at Old Oak Common in west London amid rising costs.

But the number of platforms at the Euston station will be slashed from 11 to six, according to a Department for Transport (DfT) document published after the Prime Minister’s speech.

Cllr Gould welcomed the decision, claiming that it avoids “the worst-case scenario of Euston being left abandoned in its current state”.

But she raised concerns that despite residents and businesses having endured "years of disruption and blight”, the opportunities for Camden will be diminished by the project being cut short at Birmingham.

A planned tunnel between Euston and Euston Square Tube station will also be axed under the latest proposals.

The management of building the new station at Euston will also be removed from HS2 Ltd with the Prime Minster criticising the “mistakes” made so far during the project.

But the Government has promised to come good on its plans to create a ‘Euston Quarter’, “potentially” offering up to 10,000 homes.

Cllr Gould said: “Camden Council is ready to lead a development in Euston that delivers for our community and the country.

“This means the council, our key partners in London and our local community in Euston, having not just seats at the table but the power to lead and make our vision for Euston - and the life-changing opportunities that it will provide - a reality.

“What is clear though is that opportunities will be diminished by this project being cut short at Birmingham.

“Manchester’s residents and businesses have been let down today and cutting phase two will have a hugely detrimental effect on not just Manchester but Camden and Birmingham.

“We urge the Prime Minister to reconsider this decision.”

The Prime Minister said that the money saved on HS2 at Euston will be reinvested in projects across the country.