The Department for Transport initially outlined plans to build a link between HS2 and the existing High Speed 1 (HS1) line that connects London to the Channel Tunnel, creating one high-speed network. This connection would have realised the aims of the Regional Eurostar scheme that was first proposed in the 1980s. Several schemes were considered, and the route finally put forward was a tunnel between Old Oak Common and Chalk Farm, linked to existing conventional lines along the North London Line which would connect to HS1 north of St Pancras.