§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the grounds for compassionate compensation due to the channel tunnel rail link; and what arrangements are available for appeals against decisions to refuse such claims.
§ Mr. FreemanPurchase will be considered by Union Railways for homes that are likely to experience operational noise above the proposed threshold for noise insulation. There needs to be proven financial hardship in buying another property necessitated by a job move beyond commuting distance, medical problems, or family dissolution. There can be other hardship grounds and cases are looked at individually. The scheme is not a statutory requirement and decisions are entirely at the discretion of Union Railways.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to announce safeguarding arrangements for properties affected by the proposed high-speed channel tunnel rail link.
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§ Mr. FreemanIn the next few weeks.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether decisions about safeguarding and compensation for properties affected by the proposed high-speed channel tunnel rail link will be made by Union Railways, or by his Department.
§ Mr. FreemanThe safeguarding directions will be made by the Secretary of State with the benefit of advice from Union Railways on the land to be included in the safeguarded zone. Union Railways has said that it will accept applications for voluntary purchase of owner-occupied homes within the safeguarded zone. Outside the zone it will consider in cases of hardship the purchase of homes likely to experience operational noise above the proposed threshold for noise insulation.