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BBC News
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The firm behind HS2 was dishonest and misleading in its handling of a compensation claim from a member of the public who had to sell their home to make way for the line, a report claims.
HS2 also failed to properly engage with the complainant leading to a breakdown in trust, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman said.
HS2 has previously been accused of poor communication with communities.
The rail firm said it accepted the findings but had changed its practices. This report focuses on historic issues relating to an individual property case from 2017, a spokesman said.
HS2 Ltd’s failure to properly communicate with homeowners led to the deteriorating health of a couple whose home was purchased for construction of the high speed rail line, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has concluded.
A PHSO investigation has concluded that HS2 Ltd’s conduct in this case amounts to “maladministration” on numerous accounts.
The Ombudsman’s investigation found HS2 Ltd was “dishonest, misleading and inconsistent” during its communications with Jonathan and Elaine Loescher regarding the compulsory purchase of their property in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
The investigation also found that HS2 Ltd failed to follow its own processes when negotiating compensation claims with the Loeschers for their family home.