HS2 – A New Route?
For those who have not seen the reports in the weekend press, I would like to draw your attention to a new route that Labour is apparently proposing for HS2 (at the time of writing no official statement had been issued by the party).
The new HS2 route between London and Birmingham runs to the west of the existing corridor, involves a long tunnel under the Chilterns and includes a hub at Heathrow.
As yet there has been no official response from HS2 Ltd or the Transport Minister, but this development, while potentially good news for those whose properties would be affected by the existing proposal, could bring a great deal of uncertainty to the whole HS2 planning process. It also exposes the serious flaws in the UK’s planning and compensation system for major infrastructure projects.
Part of the reason we believed that the Transport Minister Justine Greening was likely to approve the existing HS2 route was the cross-party support it enjoyed (it should be remembered that the current route was actually proposed by the former Labour administration). If Labour’s support can no longer be relied on Ms Greening may be less confident to give the go ahead using the current route proposals without further consultation.
As mentioned, this could ultimately be good news for property owners along the current route (and bad news for those along Labour’s alternative). Alternatively, it may just draw out an already painful process even further if Labour’s route is considered and then ruled out.
The HS2 team will endeavour to keep you updated once we find out more, and will continue to press for clarity on the government’s intentions, along with adequate and fair compensation for those affected property owners.