Calls raised for better treatment of farming families in future rail projects
16th January 2026
The NFU has emphasised the need to reflect on the mistakes from the “chaotic” HS2 project, particularly regarding the treatment of farming families, as the government announces plans for new railway developments in the coming years.
The Labour government pledged to build a new high-speed line between Liverpool and Manchester, as well as a line between Birmingham and Manchester to replace the cancelled leg of the HS2 project.
In response to those plans, NFU vice president Rachel Hallos said that farming families along these routes will have “lots of questions and plenty of concerns” about how the projects will be delivered.
“Those along the Birmingham to Manchester route have already endured years of disruption because of HS2 flip-flopping, delays and insufficient communication, uprooting both their businesses and everyday lives,” she explained.
Ms Hallos added that now they will be held in limbo for at least another decade, possibly even two, before work on the new line even starts.
“These are not developments that take a few months; they are years in the making. This means another generation of families will be hit, many of whose homes, land and livelihoods already bear the scars from HS2. Lessons need to be learnt from that experience – farming families need to be treated better,“ she concluded.
The NFU confirmed that it will seek to engage with the delivery companies and urge them to work with farming families on these projects.
The union expressed that it is vital farm businesses are able to be productive and profitable throughout this process and remain focused on what they do best – producing food and caring for the great British countryside.
The government said that it will work closely with local partners to ensure planning processes are carried out efficiently, and approvals are streamlined to reduce delays and prevent projects from going over budget.
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