Changes to rail link route 'shift problems onto other people'

Government plans to modify a 250mph rail link through one of north London's celebrity enclaves have just moved the problems elsewhere, famous residents warned today.

They echoed concerns by London MPs, who said changes to the new High Speed Rail route through the capital will still threaten homes and some commuter services.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced plans to protect property prices in some of the areas most threatened by noise and vibration, including shifting a tunnel away from some of the most pricey homes in Primrose Hill, where A-list residents include Jude Law, Jamie Oliver and Kate Moss.

The main tunnel, running from near Euston to Old Oak Common in west London, will be moved 100 metres further north as it passes Primrose Hill and dug deeper in an attempt to reduce noise.

Another change will see the line moved slightly further away from housing in Northolt, north-west London. An extra tunnel may be built, however, between Old Oak Common and the North London line near Chalk Farm, to connect the new London to Birmingham superline with the existing high speed service from St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel.

Dame Joan Bakewell, a Primrose Hill resident for 45 years, said the deeper tunnelling only went some way to allaying residents' fears about vibration, noise and damage to the foundations of their properties.

She said: "I'm inclined to think this will resolve it for me, but it might make it worse for someone else. One person's gain is another one's loss."

She added: "At the present time I can't see what saving 10 minutes on a journey to Birmingham is worth economically."

Stanley Johnson, the Mayor of London's father, said he had "real doubts" over the argument that High Speed 2 will bring economic benefits.

He added that he was more concerned about the line's impact on the outstanding areas of natural beauty in the Chilterns.