MEMBERS of Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council have expressed concern at continuing delays in deciding the final route of the controversial HS2 high speed railway line.
Councillors have met with senior representatives of HS2 Ltd and posed questions on the latest developments – including the suggestions tabled by Sir David Higgins in his “HS2 Plus” report.
Cllr Peter Caswell asked for more information on HS2’s exceptional hardship scheme and urged the company to set up advice surgeries for local residents so people with houses are on the current proposed route could have their circumstances examined more closely and receive additional support from the company.
Cllr Mike Vobe was concerned that the delay in announcing the final route of the line was adding “12 months of blight” for many residents in Culcheth and Croft.
Councillors expressed their dismay that the Secretary of State had “put off” making his final decision.
After the meeting, Cllr Vobe said: “The parish council appreciated the opportunity to meet with representatives from HS2 Ltd. We are
committed to keeping this dialogue going, whatever decision the Secretary of State makes.
“We are dismayed that a final decision on the route has not yet been announced. For our villages, all this leaves us with is a further 12 months during which many people will suffer from blight and are unable to sell their homes.
“The Secretary of State has the power to stop us from remaining in that ‘limbo’ and should bring the date of his announcement forward.”
Cllr Chris Vobe, who chaired the meeting, said: “HS2 Ltd’s commitment to hold advice surgeries with councillors to discuss individual circumstances will be very helpful.
“The biggest issue affecting Culcheth and Newchurch is housing blight. It is vital that HS2 Ltd help as many people as possible through their exceptional hardship scheme.
“If the announcement on the final route is going to be delayed then parish councillors will continue to support Warrington Borough Council’s case for an upgrade to the West Coast Main Line and the removal of the ‘spur’ which currently runs through the villages.”
Anger over HS2 final route delay
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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.
