ALTRINCHAM-based Myerson Solicitors have created a specialist HS2 team to advise clients who may be affected by the high speed rail line.

Myerson, a Legal 500 ‘top tier’ rated law fir, is advising owners of land affected by the arrival of HS2, between London, the Midlands and the north of England, to take independent legal advice before seeking compensation from the Government.

In November, the Government published a paper setting out in detail the Government’s decision on the precise route for Phase 2b of HS2, from Crewe to Manchester.

Owners of land on the affected route are now receiving notices that they must sell up to make way for the new railway, or that their land may be materially impacted by the construction or existence of the line.

For those affected, the Government have announced a £1.3bn compensation package. Various schemes of compensation have been offered, dependent on the proximity of HS2 to the land, each scheme with different application criteria.

Two of these compensation schemes are immediately available for land owners on the Phase 2b route. These include the Express Purchase Scheme for properties that are directly affected by HS2 and the Need to Sell Scheme for those that have a compelling reason to sell their property but have been unable to do so due to HS2. Further schemes are under consultation and are expected to be announced in March.

There are detailed maps available on the Government’s website and people can check whether their property is near the safeguarded route.

Tim Norman, a partner at Myerson Solicitors, and a specialist in property litigation claims, warned: “The law relating to HS2 compensation is new and complex, but thousands of people around the country will be entitled to large sums of compensation. I would strongly urge all land owners affected by HS2 to act immediately and instruct solicitors to progress their claim. Our team of specialist contentious and non-contentious lawyers at Myerson can provide you with the advice you need to claim the compensation you are entitled to.”

The Myerson HS2 team is made up of Laura Pile, a specialist property and agricultural litigator, Tim Norman, the firm’s senior partner with 30 years’ experience in compulsory purchase disputes and is supported by Richard Lloyd, a commercial property partner, and Emma Dooley, a property litigator.