CHESHIRE East Council has welcomed new government proposals intended to transform the way in which land and property is bought as part of the development of HS2.

Transport Minister Andrew Stephenson has announced 36 recommendations, which focus on delivering better communication, more flexible compensation packages and tailored support for businesses.

The proposals are intended to transform how people and businesses impacted by HS2 are treated and are the result of the Department for Transport's HS2 Land and Property Review, which was carried out this summer after being initiated by the HS2 Minister.

Cllr Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "The arrival of HS2 presents a significant opportunity and is a key aspect of our ambitious plans to unlock the potential of Crewe and the wider borough.

"However, we remain mindful of the impact HS2 will have across Cheshire East. We continue to seek to limit the disruption and pursue maximum levels of environmental, ecological and residential mitigation for those negatively affected by the scheme.

"We welcome the recommendations of the land and property review and the commitment to improve the way in which HS2 Ltd and the government communicates and engages with those impacted by the scheme, so that their voices can be heard."

HS2 will become the largest property acquisition programme in the UK since World War II. Already, around £3.6 billion has been spent and around 1,250 properties acquired.

Some 12,000 individual notices have been issued to people and businesses so HS" Ltd could acquire land for Phase One of the programme, while 64,000 notices have been issued to enable survey work to take place.

The council wants residents and local businesses to let their views be known on HS2 Ltd's Phase 2b Western Leg Design Refinements Consultation, which ends on December 11.

The consultation outlines the design modifications to deliver faster services, with the key proposals being the addition of the Crewe Northern Connection and changes to the design of Crewe North Rolling Stock Depot, located just outside the borough boundary in Cheshire West and Chester.

The two changes north of Crewe are to include Crewe Northern Connection in the design for HS2 to enable improved services to the North and the Midlands and modification of the design of the Crewe North Rolling Stock Depot to provide the required stabling and maintenance facilities for HS2 rolling stock.

The consultation documents are available on HS2 Ltd's website here.

HS2 Ltd have a 24-hour helpline and email address for those who would like to ask any questions about the consultation or scheme in general: call 08081 434 434 or email: [email protected]