HS2: Resident loses legal challenge after complaining scheme could cause homes to collapse
A Euston homeowner has lost a High Court challenge to the HS2 project after complaining a proposed tunnel design could cause homes to collapse.
Campaigner Hero Granger-Taylor, 66, brought legal action against the Government and HS2 Ltd, contensting proposals for a “three tunnel” design under north London homes.
She said the scheme risked endangering local lives and properties as it depended on an expert report which warned of “catastrophic collapse” of a 119-year-old wall near Mornington Crescent station and Regent's Park.
However, in a ruling on Friday, Mr Justice Jay dismissed the judicial review, concluding that he had not been persuaded the design was “unattainable”.
He said: “It is impossible to accept that [HS2 Ltd] is so reckless and so wilful that it is dogmatically persevering with a concept that it does not believe can be delivered safely.”
“I cannot conclude on all the evidence that the Three Tunnels design is so inherently flawed in the vicinity of the retaining wall that no engineering solution could be found to construct it safely.”
Ms Granger-Taylor lives in a Grade II listed Georgian villa in Park Village East where the disputed wall, which the court heard has “suffered periodic movement and shows signs of cracking”, rests on clay.
In a statement following the hearing, she said: “Having lived in my house all my life, I am fully aware of its structural frailty, as well as that of the 120-year-old railway retaining wall only 17m away.
“I continue to be dismayed that HS2 Ltd and their contractors can show so little regard for the stability of mine and my neighbours' houses, and of the retaining wall, that our lives may be at risk.”
Welcoming the outcome, a HS2 spokesman added that an “independent checking process” and a “rigorous design” will ensure the scheme is delivered safely.
