West Midlands’ farmers have reacted strongly to the Government’s decision to press ahead with high speed rail which will see farm land carved up and buildings demolished.
Following today’s announcement from Transport Secretary Justine Greening farmers have called for proper support and corrsepondence with Westminster and a swift, suitable compensation package.
The NFU has also said priority must be given to minimise disruption for farmers and compensation needs to be fair.
This morning (Jan 10) Ms Greening confirmed the Government will proceed with the first phase of the HS2 project that will link London with Birmingham.
The decision comes despite opposition from rural communities and NFU members who will see their businesses and homes severely impacted by the new line.
The first phase could be completed by 2026 and cost between £17 and £32 billion.
Staffordshire farmer Robert Lockhart, of Drayton Bassett, who will see some of his land severed by HS2, said he had no doubt the plans were ill-conceived.
He said: “This line will cut off the western end of my farm and a real issue is the fact the Government only pays for what it takes, proper payment is essential.
“The line will leave me with some triangular pieces of field that I will not be able to get a sprayer on and therefore this will make that land redundant, un-farmable.
“History shows that any compensation package is not generous and is not fast and what we need to see is a realistic payment scheme and proper support.
“Farm businesses will be displaced by HS2 and there’s more disruption to come in the months and years ahead.”
In the future the line looks set to be extended in a Y-shape to serve Leeds and Manchester and further farm businesses will be affected.
Mr Lockhart said: “The business case for HS2 shows it’s not a very good investment and aside from the agricultural impact there’s also the environmental damage and the blight to properties.
“Rail travel is very much for those that can afford it and with the price hikes we have seen in the New Year, five to six per cent on average, it will become more unaffordable.
“The railway network doesn’t make it on its own and is heavily subsidised already by every household in the country.”
Award winning farmers John and Rosemary Barnes and daughter Grace, of Packington Moor, near Lichfield, will see their arable and sheep farm, farm shop, cafe and wedding venue business decimated to make way for HS2.
The family, who won the Farmers Weekly Diversification Farmer of the Year Award and also scooped three accolades at the Taste of Staffordshire Awards last year, will see the majority of their buildings demolished.
Grace said: “We have been prepared for this for two years and we knew this was coming.
“Now the decision has been made we would like some decent correspondence from the Government, proper compensation and the timeframe are also big issues.
“When this work starts it will not take much of our land but it will take out our farm unit, the yard, farmhouses and the wedding venue and we need to see more detail of which buildings will be knocked down.
“The farm shop and grain store are likely to be teetering on the edge of the railway cutting and I’m pretty sure they will take those too, the nucleus of the farm will be gone.
“If we are taking one for the team compensation should be at a premium and we need to know we are going to be looked after.”
Since the proposals were announced the NFU has held meetings with affected farmers, listened to their concerns and raised these with Government.
NFU planning policy adviser Ivan Moss said: “Now the decision has been made, although we remain concerned about the validity of the case, we acknowledge that our priority must be to minimise disruption for our members’ businesses.
“In our consultation response to Government, we set out what we expect in terms of compensation for land purchase, in addition to an enforceable code of practice that is in place during the construction phase.
“We have met several times with HS2 to discuss mitigation and compensation that the Government must offer as part of the line’s construction.
“We would also ask that the Government sticks to its pledge to do all it can to offer assistance and support to those affected by the route.
“This must include fair compensation to ensure that those living and working in the countryside are not disproportionately impacted by an investment that could benefit the whole country.”
No comments have been made.