Sadiq Khan's HS2 Euston comments slammed

The major landowner at Euston in north London has slammed the new London mayor Sadiq Khan for suggesting HS2 could terminate at Old Oak Common rather than the central London station.

Sydney & London Properties, which owns a major slice of the real estate at Euston, has criticised Khan for in its view acting on “short term political considerations”.

A spokesperson for Sydney & London Properties said: “It is disappointing to read the Mayor’s comments, especially as prior to his election and since we have sought to meet him but have so far been unable to get a reply to any of the correspondence.

“It is disappointing that he would make comments based on short term political considerations when confronted with a long term regeneration project rather than on the benefits of the opportunity for London.

“Politicians look at a four year cycle, and the Mayor is already looking towards his 2020 re-election campaign.”

In an interview on LBC radio Khan questioned whether Euston was the right choice for the terminus of HS2. Khan said: “I’ve got concerns whether Euston is the right station for the London part of HS2… so one of the things that I’m looking into is whether we should look at Old Oak Common as the station for HS2 to go to you’d have fast links to Heathrow, fast links to Crossrail and also far less disruption.”

Khan – who promised to speak to HS2 chairman David Higgins about the matter – is set to appoint Andrew Adonis as his deputy mayor for transport. Adonis, chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission, championed high-speed rail when he was transport minister and now sits on the board of HS2. The final decision over the HS2 terminus will be made by the Department for Transport.

Sydney and London Properties added: “London could miss out on a hugely exciting resi, commercial, leisure and transport development and be left with a railway and a station – what a missed opportunity!”