HS2 'intimidating landowners' who spoke to their Stafford MP, Commons hears

Theo Clarke said HS2 Limited told her constituents it would "not be good" for compensation claims they had lodged with the company if they got their MP involved

HS2 has been accused of intimidating landowners who raised compensation cases against them with their MP.

Theo Clarke, Conservative MP for Stafford, said the high-speed firm told constituents it would "not be good" for their claims if they involved their MP.

But HS2 Limited said it treated property owners "with respect and compassion".

The second leg of the project between Birmingham and Manchester was cancelled in October in a bid to save money.

Restrictions preventing the development of land earmarked for that section were lifted on Thursday.

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Clarke called on the government to pay "all outstanding HS2 compensation claims" as she opened debate on the topic and called out HS2 Limited's "completely unacceptable behaviour".

"I am outraged to discover they [constituents] have been intimidated by HS2 to do this," she said.

The second leg of the project between Birmingham and Manchester was cancelled by the prime minister in October in a bid to save money

"In one surgery appointment I was told 'it would not be good for you to get your MP involved as that would be bad for your case'."

Claims were also made by Conservative former minister Sir Gavin Williamson and other MPs that HS2 Limited was still carrying out works in areas where the scheme would no longer run.

Farmers in his South Staffordshire constituency had seen work continue on land no longer needed, he said.

Mr Williamson said they believed their compulsory purchase order (CPO) would be cancelled and the land returned.

"However, further land was purchased in November 2023, and last time I checked, November definitely came after October and so this was after the Prime Minister had announced that this scheme was not continuing," he said.

Sir Michael Fabricant, Tory MP for Lichfield, said one of his constituents had a CPO made against an area which provided a link to the rest of his farmland and he wanted to buy it back but had been told it was "going to go on to the open market".

Mr Williamson said farmers in his South Staffordshire constituency had seen work continue on land no longer needed

He said: "How can this be right when now the railway line isn't even going to go alongside and he is willing to pay back the money anyway for his land which was compulsorily taken off him?"

Rail minister Huw Merriman said he would look at any evidence of intimidation, adding that "everyone should be able to give clear, frank, open and transparent evidence without fear or favour".

In a statement, HS2 Limited said the firm "endeavours to treat every land and property owner with respect and compassion, while also recognising our obligations to spend taxpayers' money appropriately when agreeing compensation".

It said concerns from MPs should be taken directly to the company for investigation, adding that it recognised the importance of completing compensation payments as quickly as possible and a substantial amount had been paid already.

It added: "However, these can often be complex transactions and we require information from the owners before full and final payments can be made which sometimes delays the process."