Compensation for homeowners uprooted by high-speed rail link

Date: 26/10/2012

Homeowners whose property will be affected by the high-speed rail link to London are to be awarded compensation, it has emerged.

The Department for Transport has announced that more than 1,000 residents whose homes lie on the route between London and Birmingham will be eligible for the compensation packages.

It is thought that those who have properties which will be on the second phase of the line from Birmingham to South Yorkshire and Leeds will be offered similar deals.

The plan for this part of the scheme has not yet been unveiled but is due to be set out by ministers before Christmas.

All of those with properties within 200 feet of the line will be able to sell their house to the government for the full market value.

On top of this they will be given a ten per cent premium up to the value of £47,000 which will act as compensation as well as having their moving costs paid.

Those slightly further away from the line, but within another 200 feet will also be able to sell their homes to the government at a fair price.

Anyone further removed who has problems selling their house because of its proximity to the line will be able to apply to the government to buy it at full market value also.

Simon Burns, Rail Minister, said: "No major infrastructure project on this scale can be built without some impact on local communities, but I am determined to do everything I can to minimise the effect on those closest to the line."

He said that the compensation packages offer a good deal for those affected as well as providing value for money for taxpayers.

The Department said that the compensation goes beyond statutory requirements for such circumstances, but detractors have said that it will not be enough to outweigh the disruption caused by the new line.

Posted by Mary Treen

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