'Fiasco' as HS2 wrongly warns residents they will lose homes

HS2 bosses have been left embarrassed after they told 130 residents they could have to move out — only to withdraw the warning a week later.

They apologised after people living alongside the proposed route in Camden were sent letters claiming the team had “identified land that we may need to acquire from you either on a permanent or temporary basis” adding “you would be fairly compensated”.

HS2 claimed in the September 19 letter that it had given prior notice through Camden council and local MP Frank Dobson — but admitted to the Standard it had not done so.

Robert Latham, chairman of the HS2 Euston Community Forum, said it would “blight the local property market”, adding: “It is a total fiasco and unacceptable to put residents in fear that their homes — never before contemplated for demolition — were on the chopping board. ”

Consultants TerraQuest wrote to the occupants of Silsoe House, Richmond House and Tintern House, in Park Village East. The road overlooks Camden Cutting, the final stretch of HS2 into Euston.

But in an email to Mr Latham, Savannah Saunders, senior stakeholder adviser for HS2, said it apologised for the “confusion” and would “not be acquiring any property or entering properties in Park Village East”.

A spokesman said HS2 would “continue to communicate with residents and the council”.