A field still appears to be blocked off to HS2 workers amid claims the controversial high speed rail company failed to hand over compensation cash promised to the landowner.
For weeks a huge piece of farming equipment has been used to block a gate leading to the HS2 haul road site off the A413 in Great Missenden.
The temporary haul road will connect the A413 Great Missenden roundabout to the north portal of the Chiltern Tunnel, in a bid to keep HGVs off the smaller country roads.
Posts shared on Facebook state the “fed up” landowner was forced to block off the field to HS2 workers in protest, after he did not receive compensation payments from the company.
Although the field is still blocked off, HS2 insists a payment has been made.
On Monday residents and councillors gathered in Amersham for updates on the Chiltern stretch of the major rail project – where Bucks County Councillor for Great Missenden, Peter Martin, asked HS2 representatives what the company’s policy on prompt payments to landowners.
He said: “The site of the haul road in Great Missenden is currently blocked by a landowner.
“Facebook had quite a lot of posting on it, allegedly because agreed compensation had not been paid to the landowner.
“I was told by HS2 Ltd last week that compensation had been paid and contractors – Fusion – were due to get access again soon.
“I see now that there is still no access to the site, it still appears to be blocked and there doesn’t seem to be any activity on site.
“Could HS2 Ltd update us on their policy with regard to prompt payment of agreed compensation to landowners?”
Speaking after the meeting Cllr Martin said he was “disappointed” HS2 was unable to provide a “reasonable” answer.
He added: “I am very disappointed and concerned. Residents have the right to know what is going on.
“These sort of delays are going to cost a lot of money. We as taxpayers are paying for all of this while they are just fiddling around.”
According to national reports farmers across the country have been struggling to get hold of cash owed by HS2 – with specialist publication Farmers Weekly reporting just half of land and property owners have received compensation payments within three months.
A HS2 Ltd spokesperson said: “We know every home and piece of land is unique and in all cases we work as swiftly as possible to provide a fair deal for both landowners and the taxpayer.
“Although we cannot comment on the details of specific cases, we can confirm that payment for the original claim has been made.”
The landowner has been contacted for comment, however did not respond before going to print.
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