HS2 housing hell

SIR – In January 2013 we received a letter announcing that our home of 30 years was in the way of HS2 and subject to a compulsory purchase order. Now, nearly five years later, and both approaching our 79th birthday, my wife and I are still waiting for HS2 to buy our house.

A price for our home was agreed last year and all of HS2’S environmental audits have been completed. It would seem, however, that while they are capable of ordering trains, they are incapable of caring for the families to whom they have made promises.

HS2 ignores telephone calls, emails, letters and refuses visits to its plush offices. Our MP, solicitor, GP and agent have also been unable to budge HS2.

Do the people at HS2 realise that in a few months’ time their callous disregard will have lasted for as long as the Second World War? Would they allow their own parents and grandparents to be treated in the same way?

Please would someone tell us before we have to spend another birthday in limbo, not to mention lose the house we have reserved to move to.

Moving home is supposed to be one of life’s most stressful undertakings; try it after five years, and for a move you never even wanted to make. John Pink

Hopton, Staffordshire