VILLAGERS living in the path of the proposed new high-speed rail route have met their MP to discuss the plans.

In January, the Department of Transport announced that HS2 would be extended from Birmingham to Leeds, and the new line would go through Church Fenton to York where it would join the East Coast Mainline to Darlington and Newcastle.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, attended a meeting Church Fenton parish council with about 50 residents, and heard their concerns over how close to the village the rail link would be. It would be run on a 30-foot high concrete viaduct and four homes would have to be demolished to make way for the construction.

Mr Adams said: “Since the announcement in late January I have been making the case on behalf of Church Fenton that the route could be changed and that, whatever the route there should be fair compensation. People living close to the route should not suffer financial loss just because of where they happen to live.”

“The details of a compensation scheme for HS2 has not yet been decided. At the moment, even the route has not yet been finalised. The announcement in January was an initial preferred route.

“However, that has already made property close to the route difficult to sell. For that reason a scheme is being introduced which will ensure that people who really need to move before the route is confirmed are able to do so.”

Mr Adams said the idea was that the Government would buy properties which cannot be sold due to uncertainty caused by the HS2 proposal, in a scheme called the Extraordinary Hardship Scheme or EHS.

The compensation scheme has not yet been finalised, and residents have the opportunity to have their say by searching online for EHS HS2 Consultation before April 29.

Mr Adams said: “I hope that the EHS Consultation receives a good response. People living in Church Fenton are right to fight to protect their village and the value of their property and I will be helping them as much as I can.”