HS2 uncertainty leaves farmers frustrated

Farmers are left frustrated as further work requested by Sir David Higgins has caused a delayed decision on the final route of HS2 Phase 2.

The NFU said more postponements will cause uncertainty and blight among the farmers affected.

It is now likely that the decision will be made after the election in May next year. Further announcements made today [Monday] in HS2’s ‘Rebalancing Britain’ report launch reaffirmed plans for the south to north route and introduced further proposals for an east to west route dubbed HS3.

NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “Farm businesses surrounding the HS2 route are set to be compromised and the delayed decisions will mean the people who are set to have their farmland severed by HS2 are left in the dark.

“Farmers affected must be consulted and informed so they can make the right decisions for their business in the run up to and during this huge impact on their land and lives. A binding and comprehensive duty of care must be established.”

The NFU has been lobbying government to ensure farmers affected on the ground can continue to run viable farming businesses and be treated fairly during the process and compensated appropriately.

HS2 Ltd has attempted to address the concerns of landowners affected by the rail link by releasing revised plans of the proposed route.

The Country Land and Business Association said it was only the 'tip of the iceberg' and action should have taken place sooner.

The Association has campaigned for HS2 Ltd to consult with landowners for the past four years but said only now has the company started to listen. While a small proportion of the alterations now proposed are a result of discussions with landowners, the CLA says the Government and HS2 Ltd must deliver more solutions to those badly affected by the HS2 rail route.

CLA President Henry Robinson said: “Landowners and farmers in the area have suffered for several years as a result of HS2 and many have already spent thousands revising business plans, attending meetings and petitioning Parliament to secure their businesses and families’ future, much of this could have been avoided had HS2 Ltd been more proactive.

“Many of the proposed alterations are changes HS2 Ltd should have known about much earlier and relate to access to the railway and utilities. If HS2 Ltd had done its homework correctly and engaged with landowners sooner these would have been apparent a long time ago and could have saved time, money and stress on behalf of those whose livelihoods are being affected by the rail line.”

The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, has called on HS2 Ltd to make better use of an unexpected delay to the future of the high-speed rail line by constructively engaging with those whose livelihoods are affected.

The organisation said the delay to 2015 for announcing plans for Phase Two of the rail line means a decision is unlikely until after the general election and that landowners who thought they may not be affected now face uncertainty around the East Midlands hub which will blight more land over a new and larger area.

CLA President Henry Robinson said: “This unexpected delay to Phase Two is a unique opportunity for the Government and HS2 Ltd to take stock and constructively engage with landowners in a bid to reduce the impact on businesses along the route and to avoid a repeat performance of what happened in Phase One.

“HS2 Ltd has previously concentrated on compensating the wider community which has detracted its attention from dealing with the very real issues affecting landowners.

“We hope to see the time afforded in this delay put to better use. It is vital that HS2 Ltd draws up a more robust strategy for dealing with those people whose businesses are being destroyed.”

The CLA is due to give evidence to the Bill Select Committee on HS2 in the week beginning 17 November.