Nils Pratley (Euston is a problem without a good solution, 7 October) endorses the blindingly obvious reality that HS2 must reach central London if it is to avoid being an expensive white elephant, but he still doubts the investor benefits.
The answer is don’t go to Euston, the worst-connected of all the major London terminals. Instead, construct a new station under Euston Road – let’s call it London Central – with travelator links to Kings Cross/St Pancras (a far better rail hub), Euston Square and, of course, the present-day Euston station itself. Not a terminus but a through station, with the tracks emerging somewhere around Stratford and connecting into HS1.
The advantages are obvious and the cost irrelevant. Who remembers the cost of the Channel tunnel, let alone the Severn tunnel or even Brunel’s Box tunnel? Britain had the technology and probably still has. Get it built and hang the expense – no one will remember anyway, especially when London Central becomes an indispensable transport hub.
A few years ago, I put this idea to the then transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin. I even offered to take him as a private citizen at my own expense to Zurich to see how the Swiss had eliminated a constricted and badly connected terminus by constructing an underground through station for long-distance trains. Alas, my offer was never taken up. Well-connected and easy-to-use transport is key to quality of life. What a shame British politicians don’t seem to understand this.
Sir Andrew Cook
Castagnola, Switzerland
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