WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols has launched a petition over controversial proposals to retain the Golborne Link as part of HS2.
Ms Nichols has opened a petition to Transport Minister Andrew Stephenson after he announced that The Golborne Link ‘remains part of the Government’s current proposals.’
This is in advance of a consultation on the plan, which opened this week and will conclude on 11th December 2020.
In response to the consultation, Ms Nichols is encouraging residents in Warrington North to sign her petition to Stephenson to put on record the outpouring of local support against the proposals.
Fighting for Warrington residents against these proposals has been one of her key priorities since being elected in December, and she raised this in a question to Boris Johnson over HS2 in February.
Ms Nichols said: “It is crucial that the voice of Warrington North residents are heard in this consultation.
“I will continue to fight tirelessly against the Golborne Link and want to show the Government the strength of feeling of Warrington North residents, through this petition.
“The Link would be devastating for the environment and noise pollution as well as causing significant disruption to local residents. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps admitted the Link ‘delivers very little’ and there is a clear alternative available through the West Coast Main Line at Crewe.’
“Residents are tired of empty words from the Government on the Golborne Link- it’s time for action, and its removal from the HS2 plans once and for all.”
The petition is available on Charlotte Nichols’ website: https://charlottenicholsmp.com/say-no-to-the-golborne-link/
Meanwhile, Warrington Borough Council has reiterated its opposition to the proposed Golborne Link as part of the wider High-Speed Rail (HS2) scheme.
The government has announced that it will be proceeding with legislation for the HS2 Western Leg Phase 2B as a priority. This phase is proposed to run between Crewe and Manchester, connecting to the West Coast Main Line south of Wigan via the Golborne Link, and the Eastern Leg will connect the West Midlands with Leeds.
Bringing forward the Crewe to Manchester section has been welcomed by the council, which includes plans for enhanced transport links in Crewe and extra platforms at Manchester Airport, which will help to support Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) services, which in turn will benefit Warrington through improved access and connectivity to the town.
The council also welcomes the government’s response to its 2019 Design Refinement Consultation, where it has also been confirmed that infrastructure will be put in place for ‘touchpoints’ in High Legh, which would enable future development of NPR to be constructed from Liverpool to Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly, via Warrington. The council is pushing hard for this section of NPR to be brought forward, as it would bring real benefits to Warrington through more high speed and local rail services coming to the town at the same time as the western leg of HS2 Phase 2B.
However, the council continues to oppose any plans for the Golborne Link section, which is expected to still be included in the HS2 Western Leg Phase 2B.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Russ Bowden said: “The proposal for the Golborne Link remains a flaky business case which would bring little – if any – discernible value to Warrington. The case for the Golborne Link, in isolation, just isn’t palatable for our town and runs the risk of physically dividing our communities for scant overall benefit.
“I am pleased to see other plans for HS2 which will provide Warrington with better access and transport links. I would urge the government to use Warrington Bank Quay as a central hub station for NPR – it makes sense for the government to bring forward a hybrid bill for NPR to allow this section from HS2 to Liverpool, via Warrington, to be constructed in parallel with the Western Leg of HS2 Phase 2B.”
“Our priority at this point, however, remains challenging the Golborne Link and we will continue to make representations to government with our concerns for the proposed spur.”
The government has also, this week, announced a further Design Refinement Consultation for HS2 Phase 2B, though none of the four proposed changes directly impact Warrington. They are:
To add a Crewe Northern Connection and change the design of the proposed Crewe North Rolling Stock Depot
To change the design of the Manchester Airport High-Speed station
To refine the design around Manchester Piccadilly High-Speed station
To introduce a new train stabling facility at Annandale, in Dumfries and Galloway
