Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 215 of the report of the House of Lords Select Committee on the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill, whether the Prolonged Disturbance Compensation Scheme will include the recommendation that households threatened by construction noise will be entitled to noise insulation as if they were within 120 metres of the line of route in an area where the Rural Support Zone applies.

The provision of noise insulation for those affected by high levels of noise over prolonged periods as a result of construction follows well established practice on major projects and applies to dwellings in both rural and urban areas. That practice is included in HS2 Ltd’s Code of Construction Practice and other commitments made through the Parliamentary process.

The Prolonged Disruption Compensation Scheme will allow affected households to opt for compensation as an alternative to being temporarily rehoused when particularly high noise levels are experienced over prolonged periods as a result of construction. In certain circumstances the scheme will allow owner occupiers to request the Secretary of State to purchase their property.