HS2 tried to silence local residents. That’s not acceptable.
Rachel Taylor MP, North Warwickshire and Bedworth
When I was elected as the MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth last year, I knew that one of the most difficult tasks I had was tackling HS2’s poor treatment of residents in Water Orton and Coleshill. People have been subjected to unacceptable levels of disruption for far too long, and all too often the complaints system feels like it was designed to prevent people from having their issues resolved, rather than to help them.
These are all issues I have raised with HS2 in our monthly meetings, and I am pleased to be making progress – although it can sometimes feel like two steps forward and one step back. But I won’t let this matter rest because I have seen the toil these works are having on people, not just in terms of property damage and traffic chaos, but on people’s health and wellbeing.
I was shocked when a resident of Water Orton came to me last year to tell me she had been asked to sign a ‘gagging clause’ as part of a compensation agreement for property damage by HS2. This legally binding ‘non-disclosure agreement’ would have forbidden her from speaking about the damage caused to her roof by HS2 and the compensation she had received, with a risk of being sued if she breached its terms.
Worse still, she had received no response from HS2 when she refused to sign and asked if the clause could be removed, meaning she had never received a penny in compensation. That’s completely unacceptable.
I wrote to HS2 about this matter, but when they attempted to fob me off I called a meeting to demand answers, and wrote to them again to make clear I wouldn’t take no for an answer.
I’m pleased they have finally conceded this should never have happened and have now confirmed they will be dropping the use of gagging clauses in compensation claims. They have also confirmed that they will withdraw any live requests that had been made for members of the public to sign these clauses and rescind any that are currently in effect.
I want to make sure that residents are aware that if they are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to access compensation by HS2, they are not required to sign one and this should not affect their right to compensation.
If you have already signed one, HS2 have committed to me that they will contact you to inform you that the terms of the gagging clause are no longer in force. If they fail to do this, please contact my office and I will be happy to assist you.
I am pleased to have secured this commitment from HS2, which ensures that local residents will be able to continue to speak out about the damage to their wellbeing, prosperity, and property that HS2’s construction is causing.
However, residents of Coleshill and Water Orton continue to suffer unacceptable levels of disruption, and I know there is a lot more that needs to be done to bring these problems under control. Please rest assured that as your MP I will continue to do all in my power to hold HS2 to account and secure action from them to improve things.
And one more thing…
HS2 have committed to holding a joint drop-in event with me at The Link (New Road, Water Orton, B46 1QU) from 3pm to 7pm on 14 March, where I and HS2’s representatives will be available to discuss any ongoing problems that need to be resolved. I look forward to seeing some of you there.
I have launched an HS2 constituent newsletter where I will be sharing updates of what I’m doing to tackle the unacceptable disruption experienced by residents. You can sign up to receive it by visiting www.rachel-taylor.co.uk/HS2/
I’ll also be holding a constituent surgery in Coleshill on 29 March from 10am – midday, so please get in touch if you want to book an appointment.
And finally, whether it’s a policy question or a casework issue, I’m keen to hear from you – you can contact me at rachel.taylor.mp@parliament.uk.
