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Transport for London (TfL) has said that it has concerns relating to the funding and timing of the HS2 tunnel between Old Oak Common and Euston. The authority also says current plans could mean the Elizabeth line is 'significantly affected' by a surge in passengers.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, axed the project's northern leg last year, meaning Old Oak Common in West London - due to open at some point between 2029 and 2033 - will act as a 'temporary terminus' for HS2 in the capital. This may be the case for up to a decade.

HS2 bosses have previously told MyLondon that they are confident it will be able to cope with this situation, as passengers interchange between high speed, GWR, Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line services. But, in documents for this week's TfL Programmes and Investment Committee, bosses have said there are uncertainties over money and dates.

READ MORE: South London Underground station to get new look amid ‘safeguarding’ of Tube line extension

Papers state: "The Government’s Network North announcement in October 2023 significantly scaled back the project north of Birmingham and has led to a review of Euston station design and funding arrangements. In December 2023 the Government issued the Station Design Authority letter to HS2 concerning Euston, and we have continued to engage collaboratively with them and other Euston Partnership members including Network Rail, Department for Transport (DfT) and Lendlease, the masterplan development partner, in understanding the impacts of this change on us, our operations, passengers and London.

Need to reduce costs without affecting reliability of Tube

They add: "We are continuing to work with HS2 Ltd and partners on options to reduce costs while ensuring effective functionality of our infrastructure and operations, such as the London Underground and bus stations at Euston. Environmental requirements and carbon reduction targets for new or altered assets have been incorporated into the functional requirements and have been cascaded to the HS2 Ltd supply chain.

"With the link from Old Oak Common to Euston now delayed and concerns relating to the funding and timing of the tunnels from Old Oak Common to Euston, Old Oak Common will become a temporary terminus for HS2 services for up to a decade. We have made the case to the Government to procure additional Class 345 Elizabeth line trains to ensure sufficient capacity for passengers coming from HS2 services to continue their journey into central London.

"There has been some progress in relation to the provision of level boarding for Elizabeth line rolling stock at Old Oak Common, with the DfT providing support for HS2 to undertake feasibility design work to investigate the lowering of tracks. We continue to actively engage with HS2 Ltd and Network Rail on this proposal."

Documents also read: "The pause of the Euston programme will mean that Old Oak Common station will be the London temporary terminus for around 10 years. This is a key interchange station for HS2, the Elizabeth line, and other existing rail services, as well as a site of major regeneration.

"The use of the station as a temporary HS2 terminus has the potential to significantly affect the Elizabeth line. It also reinforces the need for level boarding to be provided at Old Oak Common station for passengers interchanging between HS2 and Elizabeth line trains."

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Transport for London is making changes to a South London Tube station that it says are ‘safeguarding’ an extension of the network. In committee documents, officials outline the next phase of an ongoing project at Elephant and Castle station.

This will be the 'fit out' of the station box - a reinforced concrete structure that will form the shell of the new station entrance and ticket hall. Bosses add that this will happen 'once additional funds are secured'.

Papers for the Programmes and Investment Committee meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, add: “Post-pandemic estimates of future passenger demand are being validated to ensure forecasts remain accurate. We expect the scheme to deliver significant regeneration benefits, with higher passenger capacity and step-free access enabling the creation of new jobs and homes across the local area.

READ MORE: The 4 London Underground stations we're getting in the next 15 years and 2 we're definitely not

“The project has safeguarding to enable the future Bakerloo Line Extension project to connect to the new ticket hall. This project will return to the Committee to request additional Authorities in 2024/25.”

The works are delivering step-free access at the Bakerloo line terminus, as well as capacity improvements to ‘support housing growth and regeneration in the surrounding areas’. These ‘remain on schedule’.

New tunnels connecting to Northern line

Currently, the developer is constructing the station box as part of its planning obligations. This includes enabling works to prepare for delivery of new passenger tunnels connecting to the existing Northern line platforms.

In addition, the project recently ‘bottomed out’ by excavating to its lowest level – 33 metres beneath ground level for the station box. Officials say this remains on track for handover to TfL in 2025.

The authority is also pushing ahead with the procurement of the new passenger tunnels which will connect the new station box to existing Northern line platforms. Contract award for this is planned for summer 2024, documents add.

The Bakerloo line extension is not mentioned elsewhere in the papers. This suggests that things have not changed since my newsletter in which I outlined that the working assumption is 'construction' in the 2030s and 'services commencing' in 2040.

But this 'could change if linked to BLU [Bakerloo line upgrade] delivery', officials have added. This involves 'securing the long-term operation' of the Bakerloo line through replacement of rolling stock and upgrading signalling and control systems.

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The debate over which is London's most beautiful Tube station could go on forever, with many contenders each boasting their own unique charm.

The Underground has its fair share of enthusiasts who seem to know every detail about the world's oldest metro system and have strong views on their favourite stations.

However, there's one particular London Underground station that consistently receives high praise from everyday commuters, die-hard fans, and even architectural critics.

READ MORE: The 'abandoned' London Underground station that's in loads of Hollywood films

It's not the busiest or most central station, with only 1.96 million people passing through in 2021, but Arnos Grove in North London is frequently hailed as the city's most attractive.

First opened in 1932, the station's modernist style has won over both critics and fans. On the blog Tubewalk, Arnos Grove is highlighted as a favourite among Tube superfans and described as 'a beautiful sight'.

The Telegraph also recently included it in a list of London's most beautiful stations, noting that it 'has long been admired by architecture critics since its opening in 1932'. What sets this station apart is its spacious and intriguingly designed central concourse, unlike other more utilitarian stations.

The station was commissioned by Frank Pick and designed by Charles Holden as part of the extension of the Piccadilly line to Cockfosters. Holden took inspiration from the Stockholm City Library, which had opened a few years earlier in Sweden.

When you compare the designs, it's clear that the station's drum-like ceiling is a near replica of the library's. Holden's use of brick, glass and reinforced concrete to create basic geometric shapes aligns the station with the modern European style of the era.

The building has been acknowledged for its cultural significance, earning Grade II listed status in July 2011. Arnos Grove isn't a station everyone will use due to its location, making it somewhat of a hidden gem in London.

In some ways, this makes the station even more special. Unless you're in Enfield or have a reason to visit, Arnos Grove remains a relatively unknown station.

But if you're keen to explore, a 30-minute journey on the Piccadilly line from Kings Cross will get you there.

As with many debates about the Tube, the title of 'prettiest station' is still up for grabs. Charles Holden is credited with designing many of the Tube's most unique and admired stations, including Southgate, which fans liken to a flying saucer.

Architect Leslie Green's work is also widely praised. He's known for creating the iconic red exteriors of many Tube stations and developing a British Art Nouveau style seen at stops like Russell Square and Covent Garden, among others.

Gants Hill station, with its unique design inspired by Soviet stations on the Moscow metros - often hailed as one of the most beautiful metro lines globally, is another standout. With a whopping 272 stations on the London Underground, it's unlikely we'll reach a consensus on the prettiest one anytime soon.

Our London Underground newsletter brings you the latest travel updates to help you survive your commute - as well as a weekly dose of Tube trivia! You can sign up HERE.

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A girl who camped for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour at Wembley overnight has shared how she became the first person in the queue after spotting a loophole. TikToker Amy and her friend arrived at the queue in the early hours after spotting that some people were heading to camp out - which they thought was not allowed.

After they had been to buy some merch, the pair saw people with tents setting up at the general admissions queue. They got the idea to then go and stay overnight themselves as they couldn't see that the people were being moved on by security guards and so they knew they had a chance of being first in the queue for VIP.

As they arrived at 3.30am the pair were in mixed moods but Amy was in high spirits waiting for the concert to begin. They may have stared in the early hours when it was cool in temperature but the sun soon came out making it a hot day to be in the queue.

READ MORE:Hugh Grant, Greta Gerwig and Liam Hemsworth amongst celebs at Taylor Swift Wembley, Saturday June 22

Amy shared that there was water, including 5 litres of water, sun cream, shade covers and toilets available in the queue.

In their initial video, Amy said: "We are the first ones in the queue and she is unimpressed". To which Chloe replied, "I've been up since 1am." Amy proudly showed off her Number 1 stamp on her hand that noted her place in the queue waiting to be let in through the doors - though she did share that she didn't get any sleep the night before because she was so 'excited'.

Amy continued: "Massive respect for the guys who camped out last night." She added: "For all the people saying camping was allowed, so we were buying merch at 4pm yesterday and we saw people going up to camp at the barrier. We then went down at half 3 in the morning because we couldn't sleep, we were so excited and so awake that we went down.

"I know its unfair on others but we did try to tell them to move the campers on but they didn't, so if you can't beat them, join them."

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Taylor Swift has dazzled her fans with her first Wembley Stadium show who reacted to her choice for the surprise songs with delight. After coming on stage at about 7.25pm, Taylor excitedly told the crowd there were over 88,000 people in the stadium.

She chose a mashup of Hits Different from her Midnights album with Death by a Thousand Cuts from Lover for the first night surprise song. She merged the bridges of the two sings as she told the crowd they were 'two of my favourite bridges I've ever written'.

It's fair to say fans were impressed. Jake wrote on X: I am actually crying my eyes out, not my favorite 2 songs." Another fan, Ethan Bradley said: "She can end the show there."

READ MORE: Taylor Swift's excited words to Wembley crowd as she kicks off first London Eras Tour show

A third, Lex, said: "Hits different really killed me off," with a crying face emoji.

But for her second surprise song she amalgamated three different tracks. The Black Dog was the main song played on piano, with elements of 'Come Back... Be Here' and 'Maroon'.

The Eras Tour kicked off at Wembley with a performance from US singer Mette, who is also known as a dancer who's appeared in videos for N.E.R.D and Rihanna.

Paramore delivered a rousing set, opening with Hard Times, with a sample of Blondie track 'Heart of Glass'. They finished with Ain't It Fun. Swift then burst onto the stage at around 7.25pm and opened the show with a shortened version of Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince, for the Lover section.

Stay up to date with London's most exciting events, newest restaurants and latest deals with our What's On newsletter, Going Out Out. You can sign up HERE.

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England's 1-1 draw with Denmark was watched at the East Croydon venue by hundreds

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A dangerous paedophile who sexually abused two young children sobbed and wiped his tears as he was jailed. Jarreau Warsop was found guilty on 12 counts of child sex offences, including rape of a child under 13, sexual activity with a child, and multiple sexual assaults, after a trial in which he forced his victims to come to court and give evidence.

The pathetic 40-year-old of Coppies Grove, New Southgate, sobbed and wiped his tears as he was jailed for 18 years at the Old Bailey. The predator, who is a self-employed music publisher, will also serve another four years on extended license after a probation officer concluded he is 'dangerous' and is likely to pose a risk to the public on release from prison.

The jury heard sickening details of his abuse, which included forcing himself upon the young victims and making demands for sexualised content. The prosecution described the abuse as a 'campaign', a view accepted by Judge Charles Bourne KC as he considered whether to jail him for life.

READ MORE: Child abuse addict flashed sick rape videos at kids on Omegle and secretly filmed naked boy

Jurors were shown 150 pages of WhatsApp messages, which, the prosecution said, showed 'extensive grooming'. The prosecution also argued the abuse had 'gained in severity' over time, and there had been an element of 'additional degradation' and 'humiliation' during one an incident of rape.

The court also heard of the 'severe' and continuing psychological impact of the abuse, including one victim's potential risk of suicide. The same victim was said to be unable to enjoy normal activities, has suffered a loss of sexual desire, and still experiences uncomfortable physical sensations linked to the abuse.

Warsop's disgusting crimes came to the attention of police when one victim disclosed it to a friend. But it took four more years for the abuser to come to court and be convicted.

Judge Bourne decided the offences were not worthy of a life sentence, but did agree with the probation officer's view on dangerousness. "I have come to the conclusion I must impose an extended sentence to protect the public in the future," he said.

Warsop pointed at the public gallery and mouthed something as he was taken away. He will serve at least 12 years before the Parole Board can consider him eligible for release.

Got a story or a court case we should cover? Please email callum.cuddeford@reachplc.com or WhatsApp 07580255582

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