Further work requested by Sir David Higgins causing a delayed decision on the final route of HS2 Phase 2 has been "met with frustration" by the NFU. The union claims further postponements will cause "uncertainty and blight" among the farmers affected by the controversial high speed rail project.

It now appears likely that a decision on HS2 will only be made after the election in May next year.

Further announcements made in the HS2 'Rebalancing Britain' report on Monday reaffirmed plans for the south to north route and introduced further proposals for an east to west route dubbed HS3.

NFU President Meurig Raymond commented on the developments, "Farm businesses surrounding the HS2 route are set to be compromised and the delayed decisions will mean the people who are set to have their farmland severed by HS2 are left in the dark.

"Farmers affected must be consulted and informed so they can make the right decisions for their business in the run up to and during this huge impact on their land and lives. A binding and comprehensive duty of care must be established."