Fresh hopes that HS2 may not damage Warrington

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FRESH hopes have emerged that the Warrington area could escape the environmental devastation likely to be caused by the HS2 high speed rail project.
Warrington North MP Helen Jones (right) – who has previously been extremely concerned about the impact the project would have in the Culcheth area – has given a cautious welcome to comments made by Sir David Higgins, chairman of HS2 Ltd, in the report “Rebalancing Britain – from HS2 towards a national transport strategy.”
In the report, Sir David said: “The other issue to be considered is the route between Warrington and Manchester to the existing West Coast Main Line via the Golborne link.
“Considerable concern has been expressed about this proposal, not least the construction of a depot in an environmentally sensitive part of the route. In the light of that I believe further work is necessary both on the route and the location of the depot.”
The MP, who lives in Culcheth, said: “I believe this is a hopeful development – a step in the right direction.
“The argument for the hub at Crewe is important. Part of the reason for not joining the line north of Crewe was that Crewe station would have to be upgraded.
“Now that a new station is being proposed for Crewe the minister has a real opportunity to look zt the proposals again – a recommendation Sir David Higgins makes.
“I suggested, in my recent Adjournment debate, that such a review could avoid a loss of habitat, environmental destruction and economic problems for my constituency. I am glad Sir David also highlights the environmental sensitivity of the existing plans and recommends that the route be looked at again.
“ Changes to the plans as a result of this report can ensure Warrington and the whole region receives a better service and will save £1 billion.
“Our argument against the spur has been strengthened by this report but much more technical work is needed before any final decisions are made and we must all continue to press the case whenever the opportunity arises.”
Only last month, Ms Jones spoke in the House of Commons about how the initial proposed route for HS2 would be “bad for Warrington.”
She said 500 jobs would be lost at Taylor Business Park near Culcheth and there would a loss of business rates of more than £635,000 a year. The economic loss to Culcheth was estimated at £10.2 million a year, she said.
The parish of Rixton-with-Glazebrook would be cut in half by a big viaduct and raised embankments and the ancient village of Hollins Green would be dominated by the viaduct and a network of footpaths would be destroyed.
Culcheth linear park would also be destroyed. Some 947 homes would be within 500 metres of the line – many not qualifying for compensation.
She won support from Warrington South MP David Mowat (left) who said he could see no benefit in a spur line cutting through the two Warrington constituencies.
He said neither he nor Helen Jones were speaking as “nimbies.”
“If there was a purpose in the line scything through our constituencies, her constituency in particular, we could have a more balanced discussion.”


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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.

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