A PROPOSED regional rail hub at Crewe offers real opportunity for changing the route of the controversial HS2 high speed line to save parts of Warrington from “devastation.”
This is the view of Warrington North MP Helen Jones, who has raised the issue with the Secretary of State for Transport in the House of Commons.
As things stand, says the MP, the preferred route for the second part of HS2 will devastate parts of Warrington, with the loss of businesses and 
jobs.
But Sir David Higgins, new chairman of HS2 Ltd, has carried out a review of the project and its progress so far.
As part of this, he has pressed the case for a regional hub at Crewe – and also bring forward the project by about six years.
In the Commons, Ms Jones said: “It remains the case that the initial preferred route for the second part of HS2 will devastate parts of Warrington, with the loss of businesses and jobs, and will possibly give us a worse service in the long run.
“Does not the proposal of a regional hub at Crewe give more impetus to the suggestion by Warrington Borough Council and others of a preferred route that would be of huge benefit to the western part of the region?
Speaking later, Ms Jones said: “This review does not solve Warrington’s problem. The government’s initial preferred route would damage local businesses, lose jobs and devastate some of our villages.
“However, David Higgins’ call for a regional hub at Crewe does give more
weight to Warrington’s call for an alternative route. A route joining the West Coast Main Line would make much more sense, fit in with what David Higgins is proposing and bring economic benefits to Warrington.
“I have tabled more questions to the Secretary of State asking what work is being done on Warrington’s alternative route and I hope he will take our proposals seriously.”
If the route remains as originally suggested it would cause widespread environmental damage in villages such as Culcheth, Rixton, Warburton and High Legh and pass close to Lymm.
It would also slice right through the Taylor Industrial Estate at Risley.
Warrington Borough Council has lodged objections to the proposals, claiming they would cause considerable damage in the borough without bringing any benefits.
HS2 review offers hope for Warrington says MP
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
