A campaign for a specially tailored compensation package for Londoners affected by the high-speed HS2 rail link has been launched by a group bringing together Tory and Labour politicians as well as three major local authorities.
The alliance argues that while rural communities within 300 metres of the line will benefit from additional compensation, no such approach applies in central London, where council tenants are among those likely to suffer the most.
Citing data suggesting that 95% of homes that will be “significantly affected” by noise and vibration during the project’s construction are in urban areas, the collection of London MPs and council leaders have set out their demands in a letter to transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin.
The alliance demands “adequate” replacement housing for people unable to live in their homes during the construction period, plus mitigation and compensation for residents who remain in their homes surrounded by building works, and advance compensation for businesses to offset loss of trade and property values.
Sarah Hayward, the leader of Camden council, said: “London stands to lose the most from HS2, with Londoners set to suffer over a decade of disruption from multiple construction works. Hundreds of residents and businesses are set to be left out of pocket due to the inadequate compensation package proposed.
“We urge the government to recognise that unique circumstances exist in London and bring forward a tailored compensation package for the capital’s residents and businesses.”
Among those backing the campaign – ‘A fair deal for London’ – are the Conservative MPs Angie Bray, Nick Hurd and John Randall and the Labour MPs Andy Slaughter, Frank Dobson and Stephen Pound. Hillingdon and Ealing councils have joined Camden council, which says 215 homes face being demolished to allow Euston station to be reconstructed.
Under a revised compensation package unveiled in April, homeowners living closest to the proposed route of HS2 will be able to sell their property to the government on improved terms in an express purchase scheme.
The scheme, which will pay people living within 60 metres of the high-speed rail line 110% of their property’s unblighted market value plus expenses, is part of a revised compensation and assistance package announced after a public consultation.
However, political representatives in London assert that the inhabitants of urban areas are not being treated as fairly as those in rural areas.
A number of case studies provided by the campaign included one which said that residents of properties on Cobourg Street, near Euston Station, will experience noise, vibration, increase heavy goods vehicles movement and unsightly views for at least 10 years as a result of the station being rebuilt.
Some, who will be faced with hoardings of up to 3.6m near their front doors, have likened it to having the Berlin Wall erected directly opposite their homes.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman told the Evening Standard: “We have announced compensation and assistance schemes that go well beyond legal requirements and offer an effective means of helping people with blight, for those living in both urban and rural areas. This includes purchasing properties at their full, unblighted market value.
“We appreciate that rural areas will feel the effects of HS2 more than urban areas, where major construction projects are commonplace and properties relatively close to railways or building sites are often shielded from their effects by other buildings and background noise.”
