NEWS RELEASE DAVID LIDINGTON MP, CHERYL GILLAN MP & JOHN BERCOW MP Members of Parliament for Aylesbury, Chesham

& Amersham and Buckingham

29 October 2012

Bucks MPs urge local people to respond to compensation consultation

Buckinghamshire MPs David Lidington, Cheryl Gillan and John Bercow are urging local people to respond to the recently announced consultation on compensation for those affected by HS2. The launch of the consultation had been delayed by the previous Secretary of State for Transport to, in her words, enable the Government to put forward a comprehensive, practical and affordable package of property and compensation measures. However, the consultation is now underway and responses to it will influence the final compensation scheme that is put in place. Responses to the consultation will be accepted up to the 31st of January 2013 and responses can be submitted via the Department for Transports website, email or by post. David said: I welcome at last the publication of the Governments compensation proposals for those affected by HS2. I have already been in touch with local action groups to ask for their views and I shall represent their comments clearly and firmly to Transport Ministers. It is very important that as many people as possible respond to the consultation to put as much moral pressure as possible on the Department for Transport to ensure their final scheme is both generous and comprehensive. I will be submitting my own consultation response in due course once I have studied the consultation documents in detail and heard the views of local people. Cheryl said: Thursday 24th October saw the Transport Secretary finally announce the beginning of the public consultation on property compensation for those affected by the proposals for HS2. The consultation was due to begin in the Spring and the delay caused much concern and uncertainty for those living along the line. I therefore welcome the start of this process.

I urge all those concerned about HS2 to read and consider the published documents and respond to the consultation. I will of course be carefully studying the documents myself and will be putting together my own response on behalf of my constituency. It is vital that we make fully aware the strength of feeling on this issue to HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport. If we are unable to halt this project then we must at least ensure that we have achieved the best possible package of compensation for those affected. John said: After an extremely long wait, I am relieved to see the Department for Transport has finally published compensation package proposals and has opened a consultation on this matter. I will, of course, be seeking the views of local organisations and campaigners about the proposals before responding to the consultation, and I welcome any thoughts you may have. I would urge everyone either directly affected by or concerned about HS2, to make a submission to the consultation. This consultation provides us with the opportunity to show the Government the strength of feeling on the matter and I urge you to make your voice heard. For the avoidance of doubt, I remain fundamentally, implacably opposed to this project. ENDS
For further information from David Lidington please contact Tom Harlow (Davids Parliamentary Assistant) on 0207 219 2514 or via email at thomasp.harlow@parliament.uk For further information from Cheryl Gillan please contact Lynda MacKenzie (Cheryls Press Officer) on 07786 535 251 or via email at calmwell@yahoo.co.uk For further information from John Bercow please contact Tom on 0207 219 2007 or via email at thomas.tweddle@parliament.uk