An investigation has found that HS2 Ltd has only completed half of advance payments to affected landowners within the required three months.
HS2 predicts it will need to compensate up to 10,000 affected individuals and businesses, and process up to 50,000 compulsory purchase notices between 2017 and 2022.
But a National Audit Office (NAO) report explains that HS2 needs to do more work to help claimants receive timely compensation.
It has completed only half of advance payments within the required three months from receiving a claim request.
HS2 considers that in 35 of the 52 cases where payment is not expected to be on time, the main reason is claimants’ not providing required information in a timely manner, but acknowledges that it is at fault, at least in part, for the remaining cases.
The Department for Transport is responsible for funding and sponsoring the railway programme, and in 2009 set up HS2 Ltd to deliver, maintain and manage the railway infrastructure once it opens.
The Department and HS2 plan to build the railway and begin operating services in three phases, with the first phase from London to the West Midlands planned to open in 2026.
