In a debate in the House of Commons, Michael Fabricant told Rail Minister Huw Merriman of the incompetance and unfairness of HS2 in their dealings with land and property owners along the now abandoned route: Phase 2a, north of Handsacre.

Michael says: “There are a number of people and organisations in the Lichfield constituency who have had property or land taken off them by compulsory purchase for the construction of HS2 Phase 2a, Handsacre to Crewe.  Many have still not been paid for the land while others – including those who have not yet been paid – have had no offer from HS2 to sell the land back to them now that it is no longer needed following the cancellation of the line.

“Huw Merriman was shocked by the slowness in making payments and was clear in his response at the end of the debate that land and property must be offered back to its original owners.

“I urge HS2 to stop prevaricating and promptly return the land to their rightful owners and at a fair price if HS2 has actually got round to paying for it in the first place.”

Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, replied in the debate:  “I can confirm that any land and property that was acquired for HS2 compulsorily or via statutory blight but is no longer required will be sold, subject to the Crichel Down rules. Those rules, as my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield already set out, require Government Departments, under certain circumstances, to offer back surplus land and property for sale to the former owner, or their successors, at the current market value. I therefore assure my hon. Friend that we are ensuring that property is offered back at a fair price to original owners with first refusal.”

The whole debate can be read here.