CLA calls on government to return land promptly in wake of HS2 cancellation
CLA writes letter to the Transport Minister warning livelihoods will continue to suffer without urgent action
The CLA is calling on the government to return land promptly in the wake of the cancellation of the HS2 rail route from Birmingham to Manchester.
The organisation has written to the Transport Minister Huw Merriman warning that livelihoods will continue to suffer without urgent action.
The route was shelved by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last month, and there is currently no right for the original landowner to get their land back.
Country Land and Business Association President Mark Tufnell said:
“Farmers and landowners have faced up to 15 years of disruption and uncertainty because of HS2.
“Nearly a month after the cancellation of the Birmingham-Manchester route, farmers still have no clarity about their rights, or what will happen to the land. This process has undermined confidence in the whole compulsory purchase system.
“We have written to the Transport Minister urging the government to return land promptly, settle unpaid compensation and support landowners who may need help restructuring their businesses after a decade of upheaval.
"Unless urgent action is taken, livelihoods will continue to suffer, and farmers and landowners will be denied a fresh start.”