NEW compensation measures for residents living near the planned route of HS2 have been announced by the Transport Secretary.

Proposals to give homeowners living up to 300 metres away from the line a cash lump sum in compensation were revealed by Patrick McLoughlin.

A consultation on the plans has now been launched, with a south Bucks MP among those urging residents to take part and ensure their voices are heard.

The Homeowner Payment Scheme is aimed at property owners living close to the planned route who want to remain in the area where they live.

People living within 120-180 metres of the line could be entitled to £22,500, those living between 180 and 240 metres away could receive a £15,000 lump sum and homeowners then living up to 300 metres away would be entitled to £7,500.

Plans were also unveiled to give compensation to people living even closer to the line.

Under the Alternative Cash Offer scheme, residents living between 60 and 120 metres away from the line could be given 10 per cent of what their home would have been worth had there been no plans for HS2. Payments under this scheme would be capped at £100,000.

Mr McLoughlin said: "HS2 is an exceptional scheme that justifies an exceptional support for people living near the line. It is only right that those people are properly looked after.

"The compensation and assistance package I announced in April is already enabling us to help people more. I am now asking for further views on two supplementary cash payments which provide an incentive for property owners to remain in their community and enable early sharing of the benefits of the railway.

"HS2 will transform many people’s lives for the better, but where its impacts are less positive we are doing all we can to provide the right help."

Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan said: "I would urge all my constituents who are affected to look at these proposals and the fact sheet which sets out the situation for people in all areas along the HS2 route. Once again, it is really important to take part in the consultation."

The consultation closes at 11.45pm on Tuesday, September 30. For full details go to https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/hs2-property-consultation-2014.