‘It’s torture’: communities left in property limbo by HS2 indecision

While some living in the path of the planned railway sold up, others have stayed put, unsure when or even if they will be forced out

• 600m spent buying up property in north of England for HS2

It was 10 years ago that Val Hines first heard of the railway plan that would change her life. A reporter turned up at her house and asked: How do you feel about this train going through your property?"

This train" was the HS2 project, and Hines learned it was to cut straight through her living room before heading over the M56 to Manchester airport and into the city centre.