Anti-HS2 group sends 4,000 cards to homes on planned route
An anti-HS2 group has sent out 4,000 postcards across Staffordshire to residents warning them their properties will plunge in value due to the controversial scheme.
The Exceptional Hardship Scheme for phase two of the High Speed Rail project, which will link the Midlands with Manchester and Leeds, is designed to help residents whose property has reduced in value and who can demonstrate a need to sell their property.
Campaigners say the compensation packages being offered are inadequate and want residents to join their fight for increased payouts.
The £33billion Government project could see the high speed rail line pass through 45 miles of Staffordshire, affecting scores of residents and slicing in half the Staffordshire County Showground.
Chairman of Staffordshire Against HS2, Rolfe Pearce, says the public consultation process on the compensation scheme is too complicated for many and can be difficult to access for those without the internet.
As a result, around 4,000 postcards have been sent out by the group to households in Staffordshire, which people can simply sign to show their disdain for the compensation scheme.
"People are more or less having to prove they're destitute in order to gain access to any compensation," said Mr Pearce.
"We've been working our way round the affected areas, knocking on people's doors, asking their views and giving them these postcards. What we've found is many people who are affected weren't even aware – and some people are worried they will be affected when they won't. The communication put out by HS2 is not sufficient.
"One man I spoke to said he was planning to spend a load of money on his house to do it up, but he can't make a decision until the Government has confirmed exactly where the line will be. These people's lives are being put on hold. The postcards just make the whole process a lot simpler for people. Many people didn't even know the consultation was on. And many of those who were aware of it are put off by it bec-ause it's a huge document with a lot of jargon."
Mr Pearce added that the postcards had been so well-received that around 400 people have responded via the postcards in the Haywoods, near Stafford, alone.
The main message on the postcard is 'The polluter should pay. Government proposals are unjust because they fail to help the vast majority of individuals who suffer losses from property blight due to HS2'.
To find out more, before the May 20 deadline visit www.staffsagainsths2.blogspot.com
