January 2012 - HS2 Update

17 January 2012

The government has given the green light to a new £32.7bn high-speed rail network The decision ends months of speculation with the first phase of the network, between London and Birmingham, due to come into operation in 2026.

On 10 January 2012 the transport secretary, Justine Greening, announced a series of amendments to the route including new stretches of tunneling intended to appease opponents of the scheme. A link to a plan of the route can be found below

Entire post consultation route, showing which map covers which area - drawing number HS2-ARP-00-DR-RW-05000 (PDF - 25508 KB)

About 22.5 miles of the amended route is underground, an increase of 50% on the original plan. Despite these improvements to limit the negative impacts of the line, HS2 will inevitably affect some homeowners, communities and businesses. To help those affected the government aim to bring in a package of measures, which are over and above what affected homeowners are already entitled to under law.

These include:

• A streamlined purchase scheme to simplify the statutory blight process for property owners;

• A sale and rent back scheme to give homeowners within the safeguarded area more flexibility;

• A streamlined small claims scheme for construction damage which will allow individuals and businesses who are entitled to compensation under existing law to claim it more quickly and simply;

• A package of measures to reinforce confidence in properties above tunnels. Homeowners will be offered before and after surveys, a thorough assessment of the impact of similar tunnels, an explanation of the measures that will be taken to prevent perceptible vibration impacts, financial compensation for the compulsory purchase of subsoil, and a legally binding promise that HS2 will be permanently responsible for resolving any related settlement or subsidence issues; and,

• A refreshed hardship-based property purchase scheme.

If you are affected by the London to Birmingham High Speed Rail Link and would like further information on compensation and compulsory purchase please contact our Knaresborough Office on 01423 860322: