NFU petitions for fair treatment of farmers affected by HS2 Phase 2b

The government must ensure farmers affected by the proposed High Speed Rail link connecting Crewe to Manchester are given a fair deal, the NFU insists.

The union has submitted a written petition to parliament concerning the impact of HS2 Phase 2b (from Crewe to Manchester) on the farming community.

The petition [PDF] is available on the UK Parliament website and it highlights the financial difficulties and stress that many farmers and landowners suffered and continue to suffer from during Phase 1 (London to West Midlands) and 2a (West Midlands to Crewe) of the scheme.

See also: HS2: How landowners and farmers should plan in face of uncertainty

In particular, it highlights how a lack of design on Phase 1 led to wholesale compulsory purchase of land by HS2 Limited – the company in charge of the project – before its powers to acquire land ran out in February.

Much of this land is probably only required temporarily for construction, acquisition of rights and habitat mitigation, the NFU said.

The petition calls for the government to takes “unprecedented measures” on Phase 2b to restrict the powers of HS2 Ltd.

NFU vice-president David Exwood said: “It covers everything from how compulsory powers are used for permanent and temporary land take, powers to only take rights for utility works, land taken for habitat mitigation to covering issues with drainage and flooding to weed control, the use of multiple GVDs [general vesting declarations] for each farmer, the prolonged occupation of farmland and, importantly, the prompt payment of compensation.”

Fairness for farmers

Mr Exwood said HS2 Ltd must do more to ensure all farmers are being consulted about the impacts of the Phase 2b part of the scheme specific to their business.

“Many assurances given are not being complied with, causing some farmers to experience real difficulty, anxiety and stress,” he added.

“All we are asking for is for farmers to be treated fairly and for HS2 Ltd to provide far greater clarity as the project continues.”