A group of determined neighbours fighting to gain compensation for disruption expected to be caused by the HS2 plans have handed in a petition to Parliament.
The Wells House Residents’ Association in Ealing handed in 180 signatures to Parliament on Tuesday with Ealing Central and Acton MP Angie Bray.
The Government’s plan to build a new high-speed rail link is aimed at improving the transport network and boosting the economy – but there has been controversy about the exact route of the line and its effect on those living near it.
Amanda Souter, chairwoman of The Wells House Residents’ Association, in North Acton, said: “The petition we handed in had approximately 180 signatures on it, and we managed to collect those in four days.
“We luckily have the support of Angie Bray who is great and she has been so helpful.
“The HS2 construction will cause our neighbours so much disruption, it will be 24 hours a day seven days a week, I felt that we need to be offered compensation for this, our gardens will be affected and they have said they will not compensate that, but gardens mean a lot to people, and some people have spent thousands of pounds on plants.
“I want to make sure people are offered a security blanket in case they can’t handle the noise all the time. This petition is fighting for that, so that if we needed to get up and move anytime throughout the 10 years because of the HS2 construction, we would know that we could buy a similar size property in the area.”
Ms Bray says she has begun to question her support for HS2 because of compensation concerns.
She said: “I am delighted to sign the Wells House Road residents’ petition on the important issue of proper compensation for all the blight they will have to put up with over a 10 year period from massive construction works around HS2. They must be treated fairly or I will have to reconsider my support for the project.”
The first works are predicted to hit the ground in 2017 and the first high speed trains should be up and running between Birmingham and London by 2026.
Lead spokesperson for HS2 Ltd, Ben Ruse said: “HS2 Ltd is committed to positive engagement with local communities, businesses and all other interested parties.
“It is important that all parties who feel they may be affected by the construction and operation of the railway are able to petition.
“These petitions will now be considered by the select committee as part of the hybrid bill parliamentary process. It would be inappropriate to comment on individual petitions while that process remains ongoing.”
