Property Week quotes Richard Flenley on the impact of axing the northern leg of HS2
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has scrapped the HS2 rail project with the exception of the new London Euston to Birmingham line, which is already being built.
Richard Flenley, Partner, comments for Property Week:
“Once hailed as the great project to increase connectivity between London, the North and Scotland, the future for HS2 seems bleak after confirmation that Government is pulling the plug on the Northern leg – another blow to the Levelling Up Agenda, and the basis for HS2’s creation in the first place.
“The impact on homeowners and businesses whose properties have been threatened by potential acquisition cannot and must not be forgotten. If the Northern Leg does not proceed, will those adversely impacted to date be compensated?
“To learn that part of the scheme will now be cancelled – after years of property owners feeling stuck in a state of limbo – will leave many feeling that this has all been for nothing.
“Whatever decision is made about HS2’s future and the Levelling Up Agenda, the adverse impact of HS2 has already been felt – and for some, they now won’t see any benefits.
“This calls in to question how “fit for purpose” the law currently is at striking a fair balance between enabling major infrastructure projects and the interests of those business and homeowners who may (or may not) face compulsory acquisition of their properties at some point in the future”.
Read the full article here.
