Early Day Motions (EDMs) are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons. However, very few are actually debated. EDMs allow MPs to draw attention to an event or cause and are effectively petitions for MPs. As such, we need you to ask you MP to sign it. To do this, simply write to them via this link, enter your postcode, select your MP and ask them to sign EDM 922. Visit the link below to check if they have already signed.
Early day motion 922 – HS2 COMPENSATION SCHEME
- Session: 2012-13
- Date tabled: 15.01.2013
- Primary sponsor: Cunningham, Jim
- Sponsors:
That this House notes the development of the plans for HS2; further notes that the construction and running of the railway link will have a detrimental impact on properties in close proximity to the line and that this will be reflected in the market value of these properties; believes that no individual should have to bear a disproportionate share of the cost of HS2 by suffering a personal loss in the value of the property and that the Government should keep to its promise to compensate everyone suffering a significant loss; further notes that there are believed to be 172,000 homes within a kilometre of the line or within 250 metres of a tunnel; further notes that the current compensation scheme proposes to purchase at market price only 1,914 properties which lie within 120 metres either side of the line, including 338 which are in its direct path and must be bought and demolished; understands that all other affected households will have to apply to the Long Term Hardship Scheme which provides for those who have a `strong personal reason to sell’, but cannot do so because of HS2; further understands that the criteria are very stringent and that only 500 to 600 properties are expected to qualify for this compensation; recognises that many people have based their retirement plans and their savings around the prospect of selling their property who may no longer be able to do so as a direct result of HS2; further believes that if the Government cannot afford fair compensation, then it cannot afford HS2; and calls on the Government to reconsider the HS2 compensation scheme to ensure that all those whose property will lose market value as a result of HS2 should receive full compensation for this loss or should have their property bought by the Government at a fair market value.
| Name | Party | Constituency | Date Signed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell, Ronnie | Labour Party | Blyth Valley | 16.01.2013 |
| Cunningham, Jim | Labour Party | Coventry South | 15.01.2013 |
| McGovern, Jim | Labour Party | Dundee West | 15.01.2013 |
| Meale, Alan | Labour Party | Mansfield | 16.01.2013 |
| Robinson, Geoffrey | Labour Party | Coventry North West | 15.01.2013 |
| Russell, Bob | Liberal Democrats | Colchester | 15.01.2013 |
| Watts, Dave | Labour Party | St Helens North | 15.01.2013 |
HS2 is only good for the cities at the expense of rural business, many of which are family-run and are vital to the local economy.
Our Prime Minster and his party should be protecting these not destroying them.
HS2 should be stopped NOW as the compensation package is inadaquate even if HS2 was not a white elephant in the first place.
There must be better ways to kick-start the economy.