EXPERTS from HS2 Ltd – the company behind the controversial high speed railway set to be built through the Warrington area are in town to meet local people.
They want to convince local people of the benefits the railway will bring.
But local campaigners opposing the project were urging residents to turn up at the “drop in” sessions to make their opposition clear.
The first of three sessions was at Rixton last night, the second at Culcheth Sports Club on Monday and the third at Lowton Social Club on Tuesday.
The HS2 team will be there between 2pm and 8pm.
In July last year, the Government confirmed its preferred route for Phase 2b of the line and this significant milestone has enabled HS2 Ltd to spend the last 10 months progressing its early design and construction proposals.
HS2’s Phase Two Director, Paul Griffiths said:”The benefits that HS2 will deliver are significant and should not be underestimated. The new railway will play a crucial role in rebalancing Britain’s economy, driving business growth, creating jobs and securing investment right across the country.
“Understandably, people have questions and concerns about the construction and operation of the railway, and how it will affect them. These events present an ideal opportunity to talk to us about the project and find out more information.”
A public consultation on HS2 Ltd’s draft environmental statement and proposals to minimise the railway’s potential impacts will be held later this year.
HS2 say the arrival of HS2 services at Warrington Bank Quay will reinforce the town’s status as a transport hub and its reputation as a great place to live, work and do business. With journey times from Warrington to London cut to just over an hour, HS2 represents a significant uplift in connectivity for the three million people who live within 30 minutes’ drive of Warrington.
Construction is not expected to start on Phase 2b until 2023.
HS2 – the benefits for Warrington and the country
22 Comments
2 Comments
I rather fear that the benefits are being grossly overestimated……and the costs……grossly underestimated. And it will be our young people, who will yet again, be left to pick up the tab, for what I sense will be a white elephant. Hope that I am wrong.
You are absolutely right Paul. There is also the relatively small matter of excessive redundancy and Golden goodbye payments to quite a few who have decided to leave the cloistered confines of HS2.