Fairer deals for people impacted by HS2 in county are announced

COMPENSATION AND PURCHASE ORDERS SYSTEM IS OVERHAULED

PEOPLE hoping for cash as compensation because of the HS2 transport project should get a fairer deal now, the government has said.

Over the summer, the Department for Transport carried out a review of the system for paying for land and property bought up for the railway, which will pass through parts of Leicestershire.

As a result of the review, the government is now having “an overhaul” of the payments system which it said would make the process fairer and more transparent.

This week, a total of 36 proposals have been unveiled.

HS2 minister Andrew Stephenson, pictured, said: “When we gave HS2 the go-ahead, we vowed that we would strengthen our oversight and control to ensure this vital project is delivered at the right price and that those impacted by its construction get a fairer deal.

“As we build back better from Covid-19, these recommendations will ensure communities are treated with respect by establishing a more transparent compensation process and creating tailored support for businesses.”

The fast trains on the HS2 line will travel on a new track that will be built from Birmingham to Leeds, through north Leicestershire and Derbyshire. There will be a station at Toton in Nottinghamshire.

There have been arguments over the years that while counties such as Leicestershire will bear the consequences of the huge infrastructure project carving a line through its countryside, it will get a few of the benefits.

Among the new recommendations are measures designed to speed up property valuations and disturbance payments, settle cases and disputes more quickly and engage more effectively with people.

Tony Mulhall, associate director of the Royal Institution of Charted Surveyors (RICS), said: “We welcome the government’s proposals published today.

“Recommending better communication around a complicated system such as compulsory purchase and giving more support to those who may not be familiar with the processes is a positive step.

“RICS requires its professionals to always come to a fair and equitable outcome in a reasonable time frame, that is to the benefit of all parties.

“Added government support for an improved faster and fairer system, with all sides adhering to established standards of good practice, can only be to the benefit of the communities along the routes and is something we fully support.”