HS2 tunnelling. Will South Kilburn get that sinking feeling?

 

The route of the HS 2 tunnel (parallel black lines) - click on image to enlarge

On Sunday My London posted an excellent report on damage to homes in Kilburn by Luke Donnelly LINK that readers may have missed because the headline said West London rather than North West London.

Residents in Claremont Road reported cracks in their houses that they attributed to tunnelling by HS2 making the house sink. Brent Council erected scaffolding around one house that was affected.

HS2 told My London that they carry out a comprehensive monitoring and surveying programme of ground levels before, during and after tunnelling takes place to assess ground movement, and analysis of the monitoring data indicates that tunnelling-related ground settlement in this area has been small in magnitude and in line with expectations.

South Kilburn residents report an increase in surveying activity by HS2 in their neighbourhood of council-owned properties. They report a distinct lack of interest by Brent Council in potential damage issues.

In March 2026 Wembley Matters reported LINK HS2 had sent a survey form to residents of Alpha House on South Kilburn that is clipped by the tunnel route (see map above). A local Tenants and Residents Association sent a copy to Brent Council (below) suggesting that they were in a better position to respond to the technical questions but received no reply.

It is unclear whether Brent Council responded to the survey at the time but it seems unlikely as they recently asked the TRA for a copy as the original had been mislaid.

Wembley Matters asked Brent Council for a comment on the MyLondon story on Monday but have received no response.