The Rail Minister will personally investigate outstanding HS2 compensation cases and confirmed the Handsacre Link will be completed following a parliamentary debate on the rail project held by Stafford MP Theo Clarke this week. Ms Clarke organised the back bench debate as issues around compensation continue to drag on despite herself and other Staffordshire MPs consistently bringing the matter up in parliament.
She also told MPs that HS2 Limited was trying to silence those seeking compensation – something the minister said he would also look into and he agreed to visit Stafford.
“I have called this debate on High Speed 2 compensation as I am concerned about how my constituents in Stafford are still being treated by HS2 Ltd,” Mrs Clarke told the House of Commons. “I am calling for all outstanding HS2 compensation claims to be resolved. Let me start by thanking the constituents who have contacted me, sharing their stories and highlighting how HS2 is deeply affecting them. Several other constituents who previously asked me to raise their case have now asked me not to mention them by name today. I am outraged to discover they have been intimidated by HS2 to do this. I was told that a constituent was told, ‘It would not be good for you to get your MP involved, as that would be bad for your case’. This is completely unacceptable behaviour by HS2 Ltd and I want to call it out today. I want all those seeking compensation to know that they have not been forgotten. Since being elected as the Member for Stafford, I have raised the issue of HS2 compensation six times in this House and I have still not had all of my outstanding local claims resolved. That is not acceptable when HS2’s behaviour towards my residents has been shocking. In addition, I have contacted numerous relevant Ministers and spent hundreds of hours working on the issue, visiting affected constituents and advocating for them.”
The MP gave examples of local people waiting, including farmer Andrew Collier. MPs heard he is still owed hundreds of thousands of pounds to cover two years of lost harvests and other outstanding claims. Another example is Jean and Trevor Tabernor who own a farm, Ms Clarke explained.
“HS2’s route meant that their farm would be spared, but their farmhouse was demolished. Their new farmhouse is nearly completed, and they have been seeking the last instalment of money to finish the work. HS2 Ltd is literally the only thing standing between them and their new home. Again, I ask the Minister: what will happen to resolve that? It is affecting people’s lives and we simply cannot wait any longer for an answer.”
In reply Huw Merriman said: “I readily acknowledge how important it is that those owed compensation, such as money for the purchase of their property or expenses or costs associated with such transactions, are paid in as timely a manner as is possible. When it comes to paying owners for title to properties that they have, in many cases, sold unwillingly, it is only right that those owners should receive recompense in full and as fast as is practicable. My honourable friend the Member for Stafford is a tireless advocate for the cases that have arisen in her constituency…She has cited some particular cases during the debate. I will write back to her with my latest understanding of where matters sit regarding her constituents Mr and Mrs Tabernor and Mr Collier. With regard to the point about intimidation…I will of course look at it and make sure that it is eradicated. I am determined that HS2 Ltd should continue to up its game in dealing with difficult and disputed cases, such as the ones that have been mentioned today and others that I am aware of.”
The minister also said: “I can confirm that the Government remains committed to delivering the Handsacre connection, as we are committed to delivering HS2 phase 1.”
You can watch the full debate here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001vkpw/house-of-commons-hs2-com…;
