HS2 compensation

We are publishing this story as, although it involves residents of Middlewich, there may be south Cheshire residents in the same predicament:

Antoinette Sandbach, the MP for Eddisbury, has stepped in to help two of her constituents who had been struggling to get compensation from HS2. Thanks to Antoinette's intervention they have just heard that HS2 has agreed to buy their home.

The house is located in Middlewich close to the proposed route of HS2 and after several sales had fallen through due to HS2 they had applied for compensation through the Exceptional Hardship Compensation Scheme.

Under the scheme HS2 can buy properties where owners have an urgent need to sell but are unable to do so because of HS2. In spite of being unable to sell and being affected by debt and illness, HS2 refused their application for compensation.

Antoinette commented "I was very upset to hear that two of my constituents who were having real problems selling their home and who had valid financial and health reasons for needing to move had had their application for compensation refused by HS2.

"I stepped in to help them by writing to the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, about their case and asking HS2 to urgently review the case. I'm delighted for my constituents that HS2 has now offered to buy their house and to end over a year of uncertainty and worry".

Antoinette added: "It's really important that HS2 treat people fairly and recognise the genuine hardship which is suffered by those trying to sell their homes and, through no fault of their own, being unable to do so due to HS2. The compensation schemes need to be made simpler and more accessible to those on the proposed route of Phase 2 of HS2.

"If any other constituents are encountering problems with applying for compensation from HS2 I would urge them to get in touch with me and I will do all I can to help them through the process".

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