DfT publishes proposed route of northern section of HS2, including property compensation details

The DfT has announced the second phase of HS2, north of Birmingham. It is intended to go to Leeds, Manchester, Wigan etc. which would mean journeys to and from London from these areas could be faster than they are now. That would reduce the demand for domestic flights, for connections to Heathrow.  Many homes would be demolished to make way for the rail route, and there are compensation arrangements to help those affected. The DfT says compensation (by the government) measures would apply immediately, including a premium on compulsory purchases and moving costs. By contrast with Heathrow, which says compensation (the airport pays) would only start once they have full planning consent – and if their compulsory purchase is agreed in their development control order – which could be another 4 years away. The compensation is un-blighted price + 25% + stamp duty and costs for those in the “Express Purchase” scheme, and un-blighted price + 10% with no costs for the  “Need to sell” scheme. The DfT documents say the compensation schemes are the same as the southern part of HS2, and “Two of these schemes will enter into operation from today on an interim basis – these are Express Purchase and Need to Sell, and if confirmed by the government, all the schemes will be in place until 1 year after the railway is fully operational.”
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Delayed HS2 second-phase route unveiled

Seven major changes to high-speed rail network out for further consultation with opposition likely to rise in affected areas

By Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent  (Guardian)
15 November 2016

hs2-route

The preferred route for the second phase of HS2 has been published, setting out exactly where the government will build the high-speed rail network through the north of England – although a controversial decision on how to build to Sheffield has been delayed once again.

Seven significant alterations to the original route are being put out for further consultation, with some likely to provoke outcry in affected areas.

The transport secretary, Chris Grayling, said he “felt desperately sorry” for those residents affected, whom he said would be “treated with fairness, compassion and respect”. Compensation measures would apply immediately, including a premium on compulsory purchases and moving costs.

The government is committed to pressing ahead with the broad Y-shaped route to Leeds and Manchester, which it claims will provide up to three times as many intercity train seats and free up more space on existing lines for commuter services.

Grayling said: “Our railways owe much to the Victorian engineers who pioneered them, but we cannot rest on their legacy when we face overcrowding and capacity problems.

“HS2 is an ambitious and exciting project and the government is seizing the opportunity it offers to build a transport network fit for the 21st century; one that works for all and makes clear to the world that Britain remains open for business.”

According to the Department for Transport, there will be almost 15,000 seats an hour on trains between London and the cities of Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, compared with 5,000 now.

A proposed route was first published in 2013 for the northern half of HS2, but a review of the programme and debate over the location of stations, especially around Sheffield, means detailed plans have been delayed by almost two years from the original schedule. However, the DfT still says it expects the £55bn scheme to be fully operational by 2033.

The bill to secure the first phase of building HS2, between London and Birmingham, is expected to pass through parliament this autumn, allowing work to start next year.

Legislation for the rest of the route is expected to be introduced in 2019. A “Phase 2a” would build the line as far as Crewe for service in 2027.

There is widespread support for the second phase in northern cities, which have been keen to secure transport links. Much of the opposition to HS2 has so far been focused in the Chilterns, where construction will bring no benefit to those affected.

However, the publication of the detailed route is likely to increase the level of opposition. After a revision was made in July to the line’s path through the east Midlands, with a branch to Sheffield, residents on a new estate were told they faced the compulsory purchase of their homes for demolition. That situation has yet to be resolved.

Among the seven changes to have gone out for further consultation are moving a new depot to Crewe, altering the site of a tunnel in southern Manchester, changing the route in Cheshire, Leicestershire, and no longer tunnelling under East Midlands airport.

The government confirmed the route would go to Manchester airport and that a new HS2 station would be built next to Manchester Piccadilly.

Penny Gaines, the chair of Stop HS2, said: “The government is proposing spending £56bn or more on a railway line most people don’t want and that won’t benefit the economies of the Midlands and the north.

“Anywhere where there are gaps in the line is continued uncertainty for people affected. Phase two was announced in early 2013, and these people have been living in limbo for nearly four years.”

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/15/delayed-hs2-second-phase-route-plan-unveiled

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DfT press release
15.11.2016

HS2 route to the East Midlands, Leeds and Manchester set out by the government

…. in this …..

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

Our railways owe much to the Victorian engineers who pioneered them, but we cannot rest on their legacy when we face overcrowding and capacity problems.

HS2 is an ambitious and exciting project and the government is seizing the opportunity it offers to build a transport network fit for the 21st century; one that works for all and makes clear to the world that Britain remains open for business.

The full HS2 route will be a game-changer for the country that will slash journey times and perhaps most importantly give rail passengers on the existing network thousands of extra seats every day. They represent the greatest upgrade to our railway in living memory.

But while it will bring significant benefits, I recognise the difficulties faced by communities along the route. They will be treated with fairness, compassion and respect and, as with Phase One, we intend to introduce further compensation which goes over and above what is required by law.

The Transport Secretary has today also announced that HS2 Ltd has awarded a £900 million contract to:

Area South – CS JV (Costain Group Plc, Skanska Construction UK Ltd)
Area Central – Fusion JV (Morgan Sindall Plc, BAM Nuttall Ltd, Ferrovial Agroman (UK) Ltd)
Area North – LM JV (Laing O’Rourke Construction Ltd, J Murphy & Sons Ltd)
so that construction on the first phase of HS2 between the West Midlands and London can get underway next year as planned.

………

The department is also consulting on discretionary property schemes. These schemes are the same as those currently in operation for people living along the Phase One route. Two of these schemes will enter into operation from today on an interim basis – these are Express Purchase and Need to Sell, and if confirmed by the government, all the schemes will be in place until 1 year after the railway is fully operational.

As part of the HS2 Woodland Fund we have made available an initial allocation of £1 million to the Forestry Commission to support projects that will help restore, enhance and extend ancient woodland on private land or in partnership with multiple landowners . This could support projects similar to the restoration of Chalkney Wood in Essex that has successfully removed all the conifers from an ancient woodland to restore it to native species.

….. and there is more ….

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hs2-route-to-the-east-midlands-leeds-and-manchester-set-out-by-the-government

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On the property compensation scheme – the consultation ends on 9th March 2017

HS2 Crewe to Manchester, West Midlands to Leeds: Property Consultation 2016

DfT document.    15.11.2016

Consultation Description

This consultation addresses the proposed assistance which will be made available to affected communities and businesses located on or near the Phase Two route, from Crewe to Manchester and West Midlands to Leeds. This section of the route is referred to as ‘Phase 2b’.

The Government is introducing two key schemes immediately – Express Purchase and Need to Sell. This is to avoid any unnecessary delay in getting assistance to those with a statutory entitlement or a compelling need to sell their property.

The property schemes proposed to provide assistance are:

  • Express Purchase
  • Extended Homeowner Protection Zone
  • Need to Sell
  • Rural Support Zone (option of cash offer or voluntary purchase)
  • Rent Back
  • Homeowner Payments

Subject to the outcome of this consultation, we expect the confirmed schemes will be implemented in full in 2017 and are expected to run until one year after this part of the railway is fully operational, which is anticipated to be in 2034.

…. and there is much more at

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/hs2-crewe-to-manchester-west-midlands-to-leeds-property-consultation-2016

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Details of the property compensation scheme are at

Claim compensation if your property is affected by HS2

https://www.gov.uk/claim-compensation-if-affected-by-hs2/overview

Under the Express Purchase Scheme

What you’ll get

If you qualify the government will:

  • buy your property at its open market value as if HS2 wasn’t going to be being built (known as ‘unblighted’ value)
  • give you a ‘home loss’ payment equal to 10% of the property’s open market value (up to £58,000)
  • pay reasonable expenses, eg stamp duty, surveyors’ and legal fees, and removal costs

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Under the Need to Sell Scheme

What you’ll get

The government will agree to buy your property for 100% of the unblighted open market value if your application is successful.

The government will not cover additional costs, such as legal fees or removal costs.

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Details at  https://www.gov.uk/claim-compensation-if-affected-by-hs2/need-to-sell-scheme

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