Residents urged to turn up in force for HS2 meeting

RESIDENTS of the Culcheth area are being urged to turn up in force at a meeting to discuss the controversial HS2 rail line’s impact on the village.
Members of Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council fear the latest information made available by HS2 Ltd show the environmental effect on Culcheth will be even worse than previously thought.
Maps showing the route, construction compounds, public rights of way and diversions and realignments will be available at the meeting on Monday, July 2 at Culcheth Sports Club.
They are already available online but are labelled “work in progress” so are not necessarily the final versions.
Cllr Margaret Webber, chairman of the parish council, said: “We have always made it clear to HS2 that we are completely opposed to the Golborne Link – the section of HS2 that will effect Culcheth.
“But the latest information is very disturbing.
“It appears Wigshaw Lane will be completely blocked off.
“There will be tremendous disruption of Culcheth and of communication between Culcheth and Croft and Winwick.
“We are very concerned – and we want to make sure local people realise how important it is that they attend the meeting on July 2 to make their views known.”
The meeting – which will be a drop-in session – is scheduled to last from 2pm to 8pm.
Cllr Jacqui Johnson said: “The maps show more details than we have had before – whether, for instance, the line is on an embankment or bridge, on the level or in a cutting. But there are no elevations to show how high or deep it goes.
“But one thing to realise is that the line cuts across Wigshaw Lane which is to be stopped up.
“Traffic from Croft will have to turn right before Glaziers Lane and travel south of the railway and up an embankment to join the raised and realigned Warrington Road before turning left to rejoin Wigshaw Lane near the linear park.
“It will affect walkers and cyclists as well as vehicles.
“This stretch of HS2 will be of no benefit and will damage our villages and adversely affect residents and businesses.
“The problem is there is only the Warrington Road crossing point of HS2, other than Wilton Lane to the north or the A57 to the south.”
“During construction and afterwards it will add to existing traffic problems.”