High-speed domestic commuter services will start using St Pancras International from 2009, and it is expected to play an important role in the development of Thames Gateway.

But, closer to home, Camden LBC estimates St Pancras, which now includes Eurostar services to Paris and Brussels, will play a key part in the regeneration of the King's Cross area.

The London borough estimates regeneration of the whole site could generate as many as 25,000 new jobs, and the authority has been working hard to ensure local residents benefit.

The council has been involved in a number of projects, including King's Cross Working, which has built up training and employment activities in the construction industry.

‘There are examples of physical regeneration which have not produced change for their immediate communities,' says Camden LBC's deputy leader, Cllr Andrew Marshall.

‘We are keen to avoid that. It's really about intervening through King's Cross Works and some of the voluntary sector groups, working actively with people in these communities.

‘Something like 43% of homes on our council estates do not have anybody working. We have got to break down the generational cycle where people do not get into work.' The council has ambitious plans for the rest of the King's Cross area, with a walk-in health centre, a new primary school, affordable housing and leisure facilities all being developed.

Businesses such as The Guardian newspaper and St Martin's University of Arts are also moving to the area, and the council was recently awarded £250,000 from the London Development Agency to help small hotels nearby.

The money will create the King's Cross Hotel Network, which will give help and advice to independent hotels in the vicinity of St Pancras.

‘When the Eurostar was in Waterloo, people did not hang around Waterloo much, but we plan to encourage people to stay in the vicinity of St Pancras,' adds Cllr Marshall. ‘This means enhancing the hotels on offer. In the past, they have been weak, and targeted at the lower end of the scale.' ‘Our town hall and main office complex is right opposite the development, so we can be a bit of a showcase. When St Pancras opened, we had a huge sign across the town hall saying "Camden – a borough of opportunity".

‘People have not always realised that Camden is a central London borough. Together with Westminster and the City of London, we are part of the West End. But we also have leafy areas, such as Hampstead.

‘What we hope is that in future, Euston Road will not be seen as a barrier, cutting people off from central London.'

Cllr Marshall says there is more to be done to improve the route from King's Cross and Euston railway stations for pedestrians. As development work continues on the whole King's Cross site, it is clear that St Pancras is only the beginning.

‘The arrival of the Eurostar to St Pancras is just one part of a major regeneration project of the King's Cross area,' he says. ‘As a result, there will be huge social, economic and environmental gains for the local area, including a large amount of social housing and community facilities. ‘This supports our ambition to make Camden a leading borough of opportunity, with job opportunities and commercial and community activities for all ‘Eurostar has started at St Pancras, but it is also going to be the line for stations to the Olympic Games,' he adds. ‘There are a lot of things going on to bring in tourists and business people.'