We live in the shadow of one of the UK’s biggest train stations – we’re being forced out of our homes by posh newcomers
RESIDENTS living in the shadow of some of the UK's biggest train stations say they are being forced out by posh newcomers.
Folk in Somers Town, London, are wedged between Kings Cross, St Pancras and Euston terminuses.
But huge high-rise developments springing up around the Osselton Estate on Phoenix Road has driven up property prices.
And locals fear new build homes are turbocharging gentrification.
Cathy Lettan has lived in the area for 30 years and blames the surge in development on a 50 metre-tall research facility.
She told : "Because of the height of the Crick, they were able to build a 24-storey block opposite.
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"It's [the area] not being helped by gentrification from both sides."
The new block will be private housing but Cathy says the area instead needs social housing, as locals feel priced out.
The area is also being plagued by an explosion in Airbnb lets and expensive rentals.
Proximity to three of the countries busiest and most well-connected stations has not helped as demand for housing is high.
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St Pancras - which offers Eurostar trains to the continent - has an annual footfall of over 36 million.
Meanwhile, Kings Cross has a whopping 20.4 million entries and exits each year.
It has over 56,000 customers surging through its platforms every day, making Kings Cross the ninth busiest station in Britain.
The costly situation has left long-time residents fearing what the future holds.
One anonymous local of 23 years fumed: "I think the future is just going to be driving communities such as ours out.
"Making it the domain of those that can afford to live here rather than those who have a place to live."
