Conservative MP Nick Hurd said he is pleased that some areas in Hillingdon that are directly affected by HS2 will now receive compensation.

Under old compensation proposals, houses in Ickenham and Harefield were considered 'urban' areas and as such owners were not able to receive compensation for the blight to their homes.

Yesterday, under measures announced by the Department for Transport, homeowners in those areas were offered revised compensation packages.

That is because areas beyond the tunnel portal at West Ruislip will now be considered ‘rural'.

Mr Hurd had argued to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, that categorising rural areas in the borough as 'urban' meant no compensation was available to them. "That was unacceptable," he said.

"The old compensation proposals were unfair. These are better news for some of my constituents most directly affected by HS2. I am pleased that the Secretary of State listened to my argument.

"However this is one step in a long process to secure a better deal for our area - if HS2 goes ahead."

In a newsletter to his constituents the Minister for Civil Society said:"I am well aware that for the broader Ickenham and Harefield communities, this does not change the cost of HS2 to the area.

"That is why I will continue to work with the council, residents' associations and petitioners to argue for the mitigation measures I have set out before - including a tunnel extension and the preservation of HOAC."

Mr Hurd will be attending the Ickenham Residents' Association annual general meeting tomorrow in Ickenham Village Hall, Swakeleys Road.