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Euston's £1bn makeover hits the buffers in credit crunch
Ruth Bloomfield24.04.09
A £1billion redevelopment of Euston railway station has been put on ice because of the economic crisis, it emerged today.
Two years after Network Rail first signed a deal with developer British Land, due to start work in 2011, it has been agreed the project must wait until "well after" the 2012 Olympics.
A report by Camden council - which is due next week to agree a "blueprint" for the site - said "any major development would not take place until well after the 2012 Olympics".
Some 70million people use Euston every year, up from 55million in 2007.
Meanwhile, Transport for London has commissioned a feasibility study on improving the Underground station and bus terminus. But it is thought any works must also be stalled until the wider scheme is given the green light.
A spokesman for Network Rail said it was still committed to the project but a source agreed that Camden's assessment of the situation was correct.
A spokeswoman for British Land stressed a long-term commitment.
The blueprint for the site, designed by architects Allies & Morrison and Foreign Office Architects, includes three new platforms in the mainline station, shops, offices and homes.
Reader views (6)
Get rid of the sruffy smokers' concourse outside Euston station with its scruffy 'picnc tables' and food cabins. why not put in some serviced area with waiting staff for people carrying luggage and bomb scares etc, this is the least they could do. london is so unclassy and indecorous.
- Ivegotanasbo, London
Waterloo is the busiest and worst station in terms of accessibility in London and should be top of network rails list
- Ade, London
Why does Euston need a makeover? If you want to fix the most overcrowded and badly arranged, I'd nominate Victoria or London Bridge to go ahead of Euston in the queue for money. Better still, fix the trains and signals, not the stations.
- Nigel, London
Reuben: I'm sure they could be, as long as you don't mind your MP being unable to travel from Morecambe to London and therefore being unable to represent you in the House of Commons.
- Mark Lee, Vauxhall
On the bright side, we won't have extra disruption in the near future.
- John, London
What a pity MP's expenses cannot be put on ice due to the economic downturn.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe/Lancaster
