Farmers may get compensation if affected by new high speed railway

Farmers on the preferred route for a high speed rail link between Birmingham and London may now be eligible to receive compensation under the Governments Exceptional Hardship Scheme (EHS).

The previous Government had launched a consultation on an EHS – a non-statutory initiative for house owners only. However, the NFU has lobbied hard to ensure that farmers are not excluded from the provisions of the scheme and will now be able to apply for compensation if their land is blighted by the preferred route.

Secretary of State for Transport Phil Hammond today announced that the scheme will be widened to include owner occupiers of agricultural units.

NFU planning adviser Ivan Moss said: Farmers more than any other group will be affected by the proposed route of High Speed Two. Thats why we are delighted with the announcement by the Secretary of State that farmers will be covered by the provisions of the EHS. It was a travesty that they were excluded in the original draft proposals in the first place.

The NFU also believes the announcement that the Government will look at the longer term arrangements to assist those who would be most seriously affected by a new line is a sensible one.