High Speed 2 rail compensation scheme confirmed (From Bucks Free Press)

High Speed 2 rail compensation scheme confirmed

11:17am Tuesday 27th July 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(1)

RESIDENTS whose homes would be affected by plans for a new high speed rail route will be able to apply for compensation, the Government confirmed this week.

But only people living along the 'preferred route' through the Chiltern district are eligible, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond MP said.

If given the go-ahead the line, known as the High Speed 2 project, would tunnel underneath the Chalfonts and Amersham and cut through the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – news which has been met with fierce opposition from residents.

Residents living along the route of 'Option 3' in the Chiltern district would be eligible for the compensation package, known as the Exceptional Hardship Scheme.

Other options have also been put forward, including tunnelling under Hazlemere and crossing the Hughenden Valley on a series of viaducts. Residents living in these areas will not be entitled to take part in the Exceptional Hardship Scheme however.

Mr Hammond also said “blighting effects” on people living in houses which would be tunnelled under would “likely to be limited” - meaning they would also not be entitled to compensation. Residents living near the proposed tunnel entrances are eligible however.

Around 4,500 people responded to a consultation on the proposed compensation package.

Some changes to the scheme were made by the Department for Transport following the public's response.

In a report, Mr Hammond said: “Firstly, the scheme will be widened to include owner-occupiers of agricultural units and commercial properties with an annual rateable value not exceeding £34,800.

“Secondly, the scheme will also be able to cover properties recently inherited following a bereavement and repossessed properties that the original owner urgently requires the bank or other lender to sell to realise some value.”

The Secretary of State for Transport said the Government is “committed to the establishment of a high speed rail network as part of its programme of measures to create a low carbon economy”.

The Exceptional Hardship Scheme will be open to applications from Friday August 20.