The safeguarding process for the £21.4bn first phase also enables people living near the route approach the government to buy their property under statutory blight procedures. Successful applicants will receive the unblighted open market value of their property, plus 10% up to £47,000 and moving costs. Homes need to be within the route corridor, which is typically 120m-wide, to be considered.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “HS2 is moving from the drawing board towards construction. Safeguarding is an important milestone for homeowners and for planning purposes. It shows we are determined to deliver this once-in-a generation opportunity to drive growth, generate jobs, and secure our country’s future prosperity.”
He added: “It should be noted that sections of the HS2 route in both Bromford and Ealing have not yet been safeguarded, pending a decision on whether there should be bored tunnels in these locations. These proposed design changes are the subject of a consultation launched in May 2013. I expect to announce my final decisions later this year.”
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