The High Speed 2 railway network is designed to connect the country, improving the existing network system and boosting the economy – but how will it affect homeowners and landowners living near the proposed route?
We have extensive experience of working with and supporting clients from the local community with legal matters, and this includes all owners of land and those within the farming community, who may be affected by the government’s proposed rail construction scheme.
What Is The HS2?
The HS2 is the government’s plan to build a high-speed railway network to connect London, the West Midlands, Leeds and Manchester. Costing £56billion, the scheme will result in 400m-long trains, with up to 1,100 seats per train, that operate at speeds of up to 250mph and run up to 14 times each hour in each direction.
The initial part of the plan covers London to the West Midlands, and the route will run between Fradley in the West Midlands and Crewe in Cheshire as part of Phase 2a. The time it takes to travel between Birmingham and Manchester will be halved from 80 to 40 minutes.
Construction for HS2 Phase 2a is expected to start in 2020/21, with the line to Birmingham opening in 2026 and the full route by 2033.
Will HS2 Affect You?
Your property or land may be affected by HS2, depending on where you live. You can check how you’ll be affected using the current proposed routes detailed on this website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-phase-2a-property-scheme-maps-west-midlands-to-crewe
What Happens If You Are Affected?
The government has announced compensation packages for those landowners and property owners affected by the route of HS2, although several factors are taken into account and it’s important you seek professional advice if you think you might be entitled to compensation.
Under something called Statutory Blight or under the so-called exceptional hardship scheme, you could be entitled to compensation if the government needs your land for HS2.
In addition to your proximity to the route, you could be affected in other ways. Earlier in 2017, the government announced HS2 will most likely send construction vehicles through the village of Woore, near Market Drayton, and there may be a construction depot in Stone, impacting on noise and traffic levels in these and surrounding areas.
How We Can Help
Making a claim for compensation if you’re affected by HS2 can be tricky and much depends on your closeness to the route and the specifics regarding its impact.
We have specialist agricultural and property solicitors who have experience of working with the farming communities across Cheshire, and are able to provide expert advice to all owners of land, farmers, and homeowners who are affected by the construction of HS2, to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
For legal advice and guidance regarding the impact HS2 could have on your house or land, please contact us on freephone 0800 988 3674 or 01244 313 301 or email advice@bartletts.co.uk
