HS2’s £600m property spree revealed
News
by
Lucy Alderson and James Child
HS2 has bought nearly £600m of properties to make way for the construction of the government’s £56bn rail project.
In response to a freedom of information request submitted by anti-HS2 campaign group Stop HS2, it was revealed that 902 properties across the country had been bought for a total of £598,887,057.
The most expensive property bought by HS2 belonged to comedian John Bishop, who sold his Cheshire mansion, Whatcroft Hall, for £6.8m in September last year.
HS2 has bought nearly £600m of properties to make way for the construction of the government’s £56bn rail project.
In response to a freedom of information request submitted by anti-HS2 campaign group Stop HS2, it was revealed that 902 properties across the country had been bought for a total of £598,887,057.
The most expensive property bought by HS2 belonged to comedian John Bishop, who sold his Cheshire mansion, Whatcroft Hall, for £6.8m in September last year.
Bishop has previously criticised HS2, which will connect London, the Midlands and the north of England, calling the scheme flawed.
The flagship rail project has also run into recent difficulties. HS2 has confirmed that the project has cost issues, and it has been reported that the government will give no more money to the scheme.
Civil engineering contractors on phase one of the scheme, which will run from London to Birmingham, are currently in talks with HS2 to reduce costs on the project.
An HS2 Ltd spokesperson said: “Every home is unique and there will often be different opinions about the value of a property. We work closely with the people affected to reach an agreement as swiftly as possible, and are committed to paying fair and reasonable compensation as well as seeking a fair deal for the taxpayer.”
The purchases
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