§ Sir John StanleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are currently being used to purchase properties along the line of the channel tunnel rail link that are blighted but are outside the area defined in safeguarding directions; and if he will place all relevant information in the Library. [18692]
388W
§ Mr. WattsFor residential owner-occupied property which is outside the safeguarded areas for the channel tunnel rail link, Union Railways is operating a discretionary purchase scheme. This applies, in particular, where the property is expected to be affected by operational noise above the proposed threshold for noise insulation regulations in cases of serious hardship. New guidelines for the operation of the scheme will be published following completion of the current review of discretionary purchase arrangements in the light of the Owen judgment and a copy of those guidelines will be placed in the Library.