Cheshire East Council welcomes findings of HS2 land and property review

Cheshire East Council has welcomed new government proposals intended to transform the way in which land and property is purchased as part of the development of HS2.

Transport Minister Andrew Stephenson has announced 36 recommendations, which focus on delivering better communication, more flexible compensation packages and tailored support for businesses.

The proposals are ‘intended to transform how people and businesses impacted by HS2 are treated’ and are the result of the Department for Transport’s HS2 Land and Property Review, which was carried out this summer after being initiated by the HS2 Minister.

Councillor Craig Browne, deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “The arrival of HS2 presents a significant opportunity and is a key aspect of our ambitious plans to unlock the potential of Crewe and the wider borough.

“However, we remain mindful of the impact HS2 will have across Cheshire East. We continue to seek to limit the disruption and pursue maximum levels of environmental, ecological and residential mitigation for those negatively affected by the scheme.

“We welcome the recommendations of the land and property review and the commitment to improve the way in which HS2 Ltd and the government communicates and engages with those impacted by the scheme, so that their voices can be heard.”

The full Land and Property Review can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-land-and-property-review-2020

The council is also reminding residents and local businesses of HS2 Ltd’s Phase 2b Western Leg Design Refinements Consultation, which ends on December 11 2020. 

The consultation outlines the design modifications to deliver faster services, with the key proposals being the addition of the Crewe Northern Connection and changes to the design of Crewe North Rolling Stock Depot, which would be located just outside the borough boundary in Cheshire West and Chester.

The two changes to the design north of Crewe are:

• Include Crewe Northern Connection in the design for HS2 to enable the benefits of Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Crewe Hub to be realised in future with more and quicker services to the North and the Midlands; and
• Modify the design of the Crewe North Rolling Stock Depot to provide the required stabling and maintenance facilities for HS2 rolling stock and support the efficient operation of the HS2 network.

Since the consultation’s publication the council has been reviewing the information given and developing its response to government and HS2 Ltd.

As part of that, the council has been working with the local community to establish key features and benefits of the new designs and where they could be improved, as well as establishing and prioritising key concerns.

The consultation documents are available on HS2 Ltd’s website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/hs2-phase-2b-design-refinement-consultation

HS2 Ltd have a 24-hour helpline and email address for those who would like to ask any questions about the consultation or scheme in general: call 08081 434 434 or email: hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

Pictured - An artist’s impression of Crewe station.