HS2 Ltd considering tunnel for Ealing

Ealing Council has welcomed the news that HS2 Limited, the company behind the new High Speed 2 rail link, is considering a tunnel through the borough.

The railway, which will link the north and south of the country and is expected to open to passengers in 2026, is set to pass through several of Ealing's residential areas on its way in to Euston station.

Under current plans, the route would run parallel to the London Underground's Central Line, coming out of a tunnel at Northolt an re-entering a tunnel at Acton.

This would mean that high speed trains would pass through Northolt, Greenford, Perivale, Ealing and Acton, causing, according to Ealing Council, widespread disruption for local residents and those seeking property to rent in Ealing.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport and environment, said that in addition to years of construction work, locals would also have to put up with the noise of high speed trains once the line was up and running.

However, following calls from the council and residents campaign group Ealing North Against HS2, the route may now be reconsidered and a tunnel could be created instead.

Alison Munroe the chief executive of HS2 Limited, has written to Ealing Council stating that a study into a tunnelled option through the borough, which would look at the cost and the environmental impact, will now be carried out.

"We are delighted that HS2 has taken our concerns on board," said Mr Mahfouz. "It made no sense that HS2 should propose to tunnel elsewhere in London without doing the groundwork in Ealing to see how much it would cost or what the impact would be."

He added: "A tunnel needs to be seriously considered and is the clear preference of residents from Northolt, Greenford, Perivale, Ealing and Acton to alleviate the serious issues they face under the current proposals."

HS2 Limited is expected to complete its study later in the year and it will be sharing the results with Ealing Council as well as members of the Northolt Community Forum.

Posted by Charles Mackay

Published 28th August, 2012

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