Concern has been raised about the impact on local transport links of High Speed Rail Two (HS2) following transport secretary Justine Greening’s approval of the scheme.

Several local authorities have questioned the ability to deal with the extra capacity created by HS2 – predicted to supply 26,000 seats an hour between London and Birmingham – and network investment opportunities.

No detailed strategy or documentation appears to have been completed to assist local authorities, such as Camden LBC – home to Euston station at the start of the line, and already one of the busiest terminals in London – deal with the additional numbers and journeys.

Camden has been highly critical of the scheme from the start, calling it a ‘damming blight for almost a decade’.

In its official response, the council stated: ‘No adequate analysis has been undertaken of the capacity of existing public transport facilities at Euston to accommodate demand arising from passengers using HS2’.

Speaking to Surveyor, a Camden LBC spokeswoman said: ‘A request has been made to High Speed Two Limited and the Department for Transport (DfT) to fund additional capacity required to develop an Opportunity Area Framework to guide development above and around the new station, as well as addressing impacts arising from the new station itself.’

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has also promised to lobby for improvement work. A spokesperson for the mayor said he ‘will continue to press for greater improvements at Euston and for a solution to handle the extra numbers of people brought into the capital by HS2’.

David Bull, assistant director of development strategy for Birmingham City Council and HS2 group leader, also conceded no funding scheme had been finalised for the council’s plans to help accessibility for HS2 station in Curzon Street.

Birmingham City Council is planning a fully integrated public transport system around HS2, including additional links between the Curzon Street station and nearby stations, additional car parking, the vertical integration of a Metro line with HS2 station and increasing pedestrian access to all major areas in the city centre.

However, the council is in discussions with High Speed Two Limited and the DfT on the issue. Mr Bull said: ‘Funding of the scheme is not going to be an obstacle.’

President of the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport, Matthew Lugg, told Surveyor: ‘These local authorities require the essential resources to enable them to deliver the necessary connecting transport infrastructure to allow HS2 to reach its full potential.’