Summary
9.The High Speed Rail (Preparation) Act 2013 authorises the Secretary of State to incur expenditure in preparation for a high speed rail network. Thereby the Act is intended to ensure that the development of the proposed railway may proceed without delay. The Secretary of State’s power to incur expenditure will also allow the introduction of long-term schemes for acquisition of property or the provision of compensation to owners of property blighted by HS2. The Act also imposes a duty on the Secretary of State to prepare an annual report in relation to expenditure incurred under the powers conferred by the Act.