Minister of State, Department for Transport (): High Speed Two (HS2) is at the heart of our plans to build
back better from the COVID-19 pandemic, creating 1000s of skilled
jobs, boosting connectivity between our towns and cities and
helping to rebalance opportunity across the country for years to
come.
However, as part of that commitment to build back better, it’s
crucial that we deliver HS2
in a way that is as considerate as possible of those disrupted by
the project, who may face losing their homes and relocating their
businesses.
In confirming HS2 would go
ahead in February 2020, the Prime Minister also committed to a
step-change in HS2 Ltd’s
performance and to drive improvements in transparency,
accountability and value to the taxpayer. This included a renewed
focus on placing people – the communities and individuals who
will be impacted by HS2 – at
the heart of everything the government does.
So following my appointment as the Minister for HS2, I initiated a review of the
HS2 land and property
acquisition programme, to ensure that those most directly
affected were placed at its heart.
The review examined HS2 Ltd’s
operational acquisition processes and, where the evidence
demonstrated it, associated wider-government policies. It
focussed on 4 areas. How to:
- deliver a step-change in community engagement on the land and
property acquisition programme
- protect the interests of those impacted
- improve process efficiency and delivery by HS2 Ltd
- drive a better tone, showing conspicuous respect, courtesy
and understanding
Today, I’m pleased to publish the findings of
this review. Copies of the report have been laid in the
Libraries of the House.
The government is grateful for the contributions made by Members
of the House and their constituents, external stakeholders, the
HS2 Residents’ Commissioner
and the HS2 Construction
Commissioner. The review also considered lessons from Phase One
of HS2 and examined
compensation regimes employed on other UK infrastructure projects
and abroad.
The review generated a number of proposals that are designed to
speed up property valuations and disturbance payments, settle
cases and disputes more quickly and build on the improvements
HS2 Ltd have been introducing
to engage more effectively with people.
The focus now will be on how the government and HS2 Ltd turn these proposals into
long-lasting changes that not only improve the delivery of
HS2, but also the experience
and well-being of individuals, businesses and communities
impacted by them.
The government wants to ensure that those living near the route
receive the right support at all stages of the project.
Importantly, it remains committed to ensuring that those affected
are properly compensated and treated with compassion, dignity and
respect.
