Highways Agency

LAND COMPENSATION ACT 1973 (AS AMENDED)

A34 Chieveley/M4 Junction 13 improvement

The Secretary of State for Transport hereby gives notice that the length of highway detailed in the schedule below was first opened to public traffic on 23rd September 2004, after completion.

Under Part I of the Land Compensation Act 1973 (as amended) there is a right to compensation in respect of any depreciation of more than £50 in the value of certain interests in land caused by the use of new or altered highways and resulting from specified physical factors (noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, and artificial lighting and the discharge on to the land in respect of which the claim is made of any solid or liquid substance). Compensation is assessed by reference to prices current at a date twelve months after the highway is first open to public traffic, or in the case of altered highway, first open to public traffic after completion of the alterations.

Interests qualifying for compensation are specified in section 2 of the above-mentioned Act and there are special provisions relating to claims by mortgagees and persons entitled under trusts or settlements. However, no compensation can be paid under Part I where part of a property has been acquired for the purpose of constructing the highway.

Any person entitled to a qualifying interest who considers that he has a claim under the said provisions may obtain further information and claim forms from the Highways Agency, Lands & Operations Management Division, Federated House, London Road, Dorking, Surrey RH4 1SZ (telephone 01306-878419 - please ask for Mrs Julia Carroll).

Claims may be made twelve months after the new or altered highway is first open to public traffic, that is on or after 24th September 2004 (the first claim day). Claims should be made within six years from this date. However, any person who within the twelve months preceding this date makes a contract for disposing of their interest (insofar as the interest is in land which is not a dwelling) for granting a tenancy may make a claim within that period and must do so before the interest is disposed of or a tenancy granted. Compensation in such cases will not be payable before the first claim day.

Schedule

The scheme involves the construction of a 3.0km length of dual carriageway connecting the existing A34 at the Newbury Bypass at its southern end and the A34 at Priors Court Road at its northern end. The carriageway will run under the M4 to the West of the Junction 13 roundabout through the underpass. North and south of the M4, connections between the A34 and Junction 13 will be provided by slip roads.

Access to the local road network south of the M4 will be provided by the network roads and roundabouts adjacent to the Hilton Hotel and Chieveley Service Area. The local Oxford Road will replace the existing slip roads at Arlington Lane and connect Curridge Road to the Roundabout at the Hilton Hotel.

The scheme also includes a dedicated equestrian crossing of the A34 connecting Chalky Lane and Green Lane (south). Furthermore, the opportunity to upgrade Bussocks Wood footbridge to bridleway standard has been taken in order to create a continuous bridleway link between Chalky Lane and Chieveley - the "Chieveley Community Circuit".

Street Lighting will be provided at the Junction 13 roundabout, the Hilton Hotel roundabout, the Chalky Lane Roundabout and the Chieveley Service Area roundabout and where the new carriageway goes through the M4 underpass.

Mr K Jeapes
A Higher Executive Officer
In the Highways Agency