Cheshire West and Chester Council - public events about HS2

HS2 is a planned new high-speed rail link in the United Kingdom, the first phase is between London and the West Midlands, and a second phase between the West Midlands and Manchester.

The proposed route passes through west Cheshire in the areas of Wimboldsley, to the east of Winsford, Rudheath, and Lostock Gralam. A depot will be constructed close to Wimboldsley to accommodate up to 54 high speed trains. 

Cheshire West and Chester Council agrees in principle with HS2 but is concerned about impacts to local communities. To collect residents and other stakeholder views on potential impacts and mitigations, the Council is arranging local events in June. 

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member, Environment, Highways & Strategic Transport said: “These events are for communities who will be most significantly and disproportionately affected by the HS2 line. 

“We need to ensure their views are heard and shared with the Council. Information we receive at these meetings will be used to develop the key themes of the petition to be submitted by the Council seeking stronger measures to mitigate adverse impacts of HS2. The petitioning isn’t to stop the line being built, but to reduce the impact on our residents.” 

At the meetings the Council will raise awareness of the current priorities and mitigations and listen to the views of residents, businesses and any other directly affected organisation to the HS2 Hybrid Bill.  

The dates in June. 

• Wednesday 15 June 2022 9.30am to 10.30am

 An online meeting for all Town and Parishes and Ward Members directly affected by the HS2 Line. 

• Tuesday 21 June 2022, 4pm to 6pm
  Wharton Library, Willow Square, Wharton, Winsford, CW7 3HP

Public event 

• Wednesday 22 June 2022, 4pm to 6pm
  Northwich Memorial Court, Chester Way, Northwich, CW9 5QJ

To join any of these events, email: 

NorthwichWinsfordLocality@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Local businesses that may be impacted by HS2 will also be invited to a further meeting to gather their concerns and opinions. 

HS2 Ltd. are also holding a public event on 28 June, 2pm to 8pm at Middlewich Community Church, Canalside Conference Centre, booking required:

https://www.hs2.org.uk/events/hs2-phase-2b-crewe-to-manchester-2022-update-events-ma02-wimboldsley-to-lostock-gralam/

Details about HS2 in Cheshire West and Chester: 

www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/hs2

HS2 Ltd. are currently preparing changes to some of the proposals put forward in the Bill. Details of the proposed changes are available at:

www.hs2.org.uk/in-your-area/local-community-webpages.

These changes include removal of powers to construct the Golborne Link (the proposed connection from the HS2 network to the West Coast Main Line south of Wigan) from the Bill to enable alternative options to be explored which range from upgrading existing infrastructure to new high-speed links.

HS2 Ltd are currently preparing several changes to the Bill proposals for the section of HS2 between Wimboldsley and Lostock Gralam, including:

• Using more land to provide surface water drainage at the planned A530 Nantwich Road and Shropshire Union Canal North construction compounds.
• Provision of additional landscape mitigation and hedgerow planting at Wimboldsley.
• Realignment and extension of the Smoker Brook viaduct in Lostock Gralam.
• Provision of new shared-use cycle and pedestrian paths along the A556 Shurlach Road, and at Clive Green Lane.
• Changes to the designs of several highway junctions, to increase their capacity and/or reduce potential impacts of construction traffic, including: the A54 Newton Bank/A54 Chester Road/A530 Newton Bank/A530 Croxton Lane junction; the A54 Middlewich Road and Chester Road junction; and the A530 Griffiths Road and A559 Manchester Road junction.
• Provision of temporary traffic signals around the M6 junction 18, to reduce the potential impact of construction traffic on the A54 Middlewich Road.
• Changes to the diversion route planned for an 11kv Scottish Power Energy Network overhead line at Birches Lane.
• Removal of the borrow pit proposed at Byley.