The UK Government has claimed victory in a High Court battle over its HS2 high-speed rail scheme – despite a ruling it conducted a legally flawed consultation process.
A judge rejected nine out of 10 grounds of challenge brought in five cases by objectors to the multi-billion-pound project.
However, Mr Justice Ouseley, sitting at the High Court in London, allowed the 10th challenge and declared consultations on compensation for the owners of properties affected by the scheme was "so unfair as to be unlawful".
The Government immediately said the consultation exercise would be re-run and insisted the setback would not delay the project. Rail Minister Simon Burns said: "This is a major landmark victory for HS2 and the future of Britain.
"The judge has categorically given the green light for the Government to press ahead without delay in building a high-speed railway from London to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds."
But the legal battle will go to the Court of Appeal.
The re-run property consultations could mean people getting more compensation, and payouts could rise.
Some 172,000 properties within 0.6 miles of the first phase are alleged to be affected by "HS2 blight".
The Government has already said compensation will be "generous".
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