HS2 update
Contractors given the green light to start high-speed train line construction
2 minutes to read
Although it seems as if Covid-19 has taken over our lives at the moment, other things that will also have a significant impact on people’s future carry on in the background.
For many of our clients, the biggest worry over the past decade has been HS2, a high-speed rail project initially connecting London and Birmingham, before potentially heading north to Leeds, Manchester and perhaps even Scotland.
The controversial project has been fought tooth and nail every step of the way by affected property owners, environmentalists and those who just think its ever-expanding price tag – approaching £100 billion, according to latest guestimates – is simply too expensive to justify.
But today the green light for detailed design and construction to start was finally given to the four main joint-ventures created to build the line.
Andrew Stephenson, the HS2 minister, said: “While the government’s top priority is rightly to combat the spread of coronavirus, protect the NHS and save lives, we cannot delay work on our long-term plan to level up the country.”
Tim Broomhead, joint head of Knight Frank’s Compulsory Purchase team, has the following advice for those property owners affected:
"“This brings to an end a long period of uncertainty for many of our clients. The on-off nature of the project has made life difficult, particularly when land has been occupied by HS2 for months and sometimes years. "
“Whatever your view of this scheme, hopefully this last hurdle will make the settlement of compensation for landowners, farmers, business owners and householders more straight forward for both sides.”
The government has also promised greater oversight of the project following concerns about transparency and financial oversight.
A statement from the Department for Transport promised “regular” statements to parliament on the project’s progress in future.
As the scheme moved from development to construction, a “revised set of control arrangements between the secretary of state and HS2 Ltd” would also be outlined, it added.
“We are hoping that this announcement will speed up the processing of compensation claims and also get HS2 Ltd to address important issues such as accommodation works and injurious affection (the depreciation in the value of land retained where part only of the land is acquired),” said Tim’s colleague Jonathan Scott-Smith.
If your land or property is affected by HS2, please get in touch. We will be very happy to help.
tim.broomhead@knightfrank.com
jonathan.scott-smith@knightfrank.com