Fair compensation call as HS2 sees cities lose out

The Fair Deal for London Alliancehas published its own compensation charter for London calling for extensive changes to the Government’s HS2 compensation scheme and for the creation of an independent panel to draw up and adjudicate on compensation schemes for major infrastructure projects.

The Alliance says that the current scheme means that residents and businesses in urban areas will be compensated less for suffering more disruption than rural areas.

Councillor Sarah Hayward, Leader of Camden Council, said: “This Government has provided fair compensation to the countryside but for cities and towns it’s woefully inadequate. Ministers must address this otherwise Londoners are likely to be left struggling for decades; out of pocket, forced to move from their homes and living in broken communities.”

Sir John Randall, MP for Uxbridge, said: “"It is absolutely fundamental that fair compensation is given on an equal basis to all individuals, businesses and communities regardless of whether it is an urban, suburban or rural area. The devastation caused by HS2 does not differentiate."

The compensation charter was launched at an event on Parliament Square before Councillor Hayward delivered the document to the Department for Transport.

Approximately 250 homes in Camden and 200 in Ealing could be made uninhabitable during the construction phase and when trains start operating. HS2’s own environmental statement shows that:

- 95% of homes identified as being significantly affected by either noise or vibration during the construction of HS2 are in urban areas.
- 91% of homes identified as being significantly affected by night time noise during the construction of HS2 are in London.
- Areas of London will experience over 600 extra HGV journeys per day during construction.

The Fair Deal for London Alliance’s HS2 compensation charter will be published on 17 March 2015.