The Transport Secretary has delayed a consultation with members of the public whose homes and businesses will be affected by the construction of HS2 until after the summer recess.
Justine Greening said that a consultation over the property and compensation package for HS2 will now be carried out after Parliament returns in September.
In a statement, Greening said: “I understand that this delay will not be welcomed by individuals and businesses who had hoped to see an earlier resolution to the uncertainty surrounding HS2 property and compensation policies. However, this will enable the Government to put forward a comprehensive, practical and affordable package of property and compensation measures.”
In January, the Government announced that it would proceed with HS2 and confirmed that the route of the second phase of the project would be revealed in the autumn.
Mrs Greening added: “I am acutely aware of the impact that the proposals for HS2 are having on the property markets along the line of route from London to the West Midlands. The impacts on property are some of the most direct and personal effects of HS2.
“Developing the right property compensation package is complex as it needs to be fair to those living and working along the HS2 London to West Midlands route while recognising our broader responsibility to the taxpayer.
“It was clear from the responses to the consultation that we held last year that property compensation was an issue that generated a considerable amount of understandable concern from those affected.”
