A Government task force is mulling over proposals to slash the final few miles of HS2 and see it terminate at Old Oak Common instead of Euston

Hammersmith and Fulham Council said it would only back the new plan if it still included major investment to redevelop the derelict site north of Wormwood Scrubs in Shepherd's Bush.

The authority, together with the Mayor of London and neighbouring Ealing and Brent councils, revealed in June its own vision to transform the area with 19,000 homes around the proposed interchange at Old Oak Common, which would connect to Crossrail and Heathrow.

The cost of tunnelling the last few miles of the high-speed network beneath London, remodelling Euston station and compensating 400 homes in Camden makes it the most expensive part of the 140-mile route to Birmingham.

Terminating the line at Old Oak Common could shave £5billion off the total £42bn bill.

Council leader Nick Botterill cautiously welcomed the idea if it saved taxpayers money and surrounding transport infrastructure in the north of the borough could cope with the influx of HS2 passengers.

“Terminating HS2 at Old Oak Common would undoubtedly save money and may have additional benefits for kickstarting regeneration in the area but there may also be downsides that need to be explored,” he said.

“For example, direct road access would need to be improved dramatically.”

However, there are concerns over how a new terminus would impact on the borough, particularly with regard to the wildlife in Wormwood Scrubs.

Andy Slaughter, Labour MP for Hammersmith, said: “It’s certainly worth looking at. In theory you could have a better London terminus at Old Oak then Euston but you have to guarantee proper transport infrastructure.

“I cannot support it if residents and the Scrubs, which is a protected environment, are not properly protected.”

Nina Hall, a science writer who lives in Braybook Street overlooking the parkland, told the Chronicle she was horrified by the council’s original plans.

“As you know, it is a beautiful and unique wilderness right in the middle of urban London which local people and naturalists appreciate deeply,” she said. “I am very angry that the council has been disingenuous in not giving local residents the true picture of the plans.”

She added: “There’s nothing wrong with developing the land around Old Oak Common but the mayor and the council must not touch the Scrubs.”

To view the council's vision for Old Oak Common, visit www.london.gov.uk/oldoak .