Underground land acquisition is one of the measures the Department for Infrastructure and Transport needs to put in place before tunnelling works can start to protect the integrity and ongoing operation of the new tunnels. The Land Acquisition Act (1969) was amended in July 2020 to make sure the new tunnels being built could be protected.
With underground land acquisition, the land from 10 metres (or 3 storeys) beneath a property will be acquired. Importantly ownership of the land at the surface level (to 10 metres below the surface) will not be affected as it does not need to be acquired. The property owner can continue to live in, work in or rent their property like they do today.
For more information visit the underground land acquisition page on the Department of Infrastructure and Transport website.