Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq has stepped up pressure on the government and HS2 bosses over delays and disruption linked to the Old Oak Common station project, raising concerns twice in Parliament in a single day.
The Labour MP questioned Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander following the government’s latest “reset” announcement for HS2, which confirmed further delays to the high-speed rail project and pushed expected services at Old Oak Common railway station back until at least 2036.
The government also acknowledged spiralling costs linked to the scheme. HS2 was originally estimated to cost around £37.5 billion when plans were first announced, but ministers said the projected cost has now risen to as much as £102.7 billion.
Old Oak Common was originally expected to become a major interchange station linking HS2 with the Elizabeth line and Great Western Main Line services.
However, revised government timelines announced on Tuesday (19 May 2026) confirmed that the first HS2 services between Old Oak Common and Birmingham are now expected to begin between 2036 and 2039.
The government also said the full HS2 line through to London Euston is not expected to be completed until between 2040 and 2043.
During questions in the House of Commons, Dr Huq urged ministers to consider opening the Elizabeth line section of Old Oak Common station ahead of full HS2 completion, arguing local residents deserved to see some benefit sooner.
Dr Huq said: “Old Oak Common residents have already been living on a building site for the past ten years and now face yet more disruption and uncertainty with no definite end date, while enjoying none of the benefits they were promised. It’s no wonder many of my constituents are losing patience.”
Speaking in Parliament, Dr Huq asked: “Will the Secretary of State consider opening the Elizabeth line station a bit earlier? Some new builds, such as Oaklands Rise, were promised that there would be a brand-new station in 2026, so surely there should be something in it for them before 2039.”
Ms Alexander told MPs she would look into the issue and respond further.
Later the same day, Dr Huq also took part in a Commons debate examining the impact of HS2 on communities affected by construction works.
In exchanges with former Ealing councillor and current Beaconsfield MP Joy Morrissey, Dr Huq described the lack of compensation for residents in the Old Oak area as a “travesty”.
She highlighted Wells House Road in NW10, describing it as “the most blighted road in England”, and criticised the distribution of HS2 community funding.
Dr Huq said: “While the cost of HS2 has tripled, the community funds have not. Buckinghamshire is a recipient, as is Euston, but Ealing and Old Oak Common are not at all.”
The parliamentary debate followed a recent community open day organised by Dr Huq at the Old Oak Common construction site, where residents met HS2’s chief executive and viewed progress behind the station hoardings.
Dr Huq added: “Let us hope and pray this parliamentary pressure results in a ‘reset’ that brings benefit to affected residents with good news at last for this project which has ballooned in cost and timescale. Be assured, I certainly will keep pressing.”
