The hole near Euston station after work on the HS2 line was ‘paused’

HS2 has warned that “properties will experience cosmetic damage” as it unveiled plans for at least five years of “24/7 tunnelling” works in Euston – as long as the project isn’t abandoned.

A lengthy presentation unveiled to members of the Euston Communities and Representatives Groups – a private meeting including reps, councillors and others “stakeholders” in the £8billion Euston leg of the crisis-hit high-speed rail scheme – were shown new details of new disruption for those living near the path of the proposed railway.

A series of meetings are planned with property owners in the coming months, as Camden continues to be the worst-hit area for disruption and damage caused by the £100billion scheme.

One of the slides presented to the meeting said: “We expect a number of properties close to our worksite will experience cosmetic damage due to ground movement from the construction of HS2 tunnels and infrastructure.

“HS2 will repair, or pay to repair, any damage caused by HS2 works after tunnelling is complete.”

It added: “If damage is repaired while tunnelling is still underway, the damage may reappear. Therefore, we plan to carry out repairs once the ground has settled after tunnelling and excavation is complete.”

In the latest indication that the borough faces years and years of further chaos, HS2 says three tunnels due to be built in the “approach” to Euston station, starting at Mornington Terrace Bridge, are not expected to start until 2026 and be finished by 2031, although those dates are “subject to change”.

One of those changes could yet be the total scrapping of the route into Euston with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expected to use next week’s Conservative Party conference in Manchester to provide some clarity on what will be built – and what won’t.

The Tory leadership know they need to get a grip on the costs, with the Manchester arm of the route possibly facing the chop and the pause on works at Euston to become permanent.

Residents and businesses are already living next to a ghost construction site where tools have been downed. They have faced warnings that HS2 could still be being built into 2040s.

Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan launched a “Save Euston” campaign this week, as he believes the work must be finished on HS2 in London.

Politicians including Andrew Adonis, the unelected Baron of Camden Town, have said that “amputating” HS2 has no benefits, and last week Sir Keir Starmer called for “certainty” about the scheme.

Former Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the BBC: “We’ve not only been hit by the coronavirus, but the war in Ukraine… any responsible government has to ask whether that sequencing still stacks up for what the country requires.”