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HS2 update – who’s said what this week

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Railways have been hitting the headlines this week due to strikes taking place across the country, but a number of politicians here in Cheshire have also been speaking up about HS2.

In this article, we take a look at who’s said what.

 

Tatton MP Esther McVey

Tatton MP Esther McVey has warned the government of the damage she believes HS2 will cause.

She reiterated her plea to scrap the project and instead spend the money improving local transport services and digital infrastructure. 

She said the line is causing untold stress for residents, adding it will damage the landscape in Cheshire and is not as environmentally friendly as suggested.

Speaking in Parliament, she said many residents had faced 12 years of threat from HS2.

She also said large numbers of people were not entitled to any compensation scheme and can’t sell their houses.

She added that other constituents are struggling to come to a compromise on issues with HS2 Ltd – describing the situation as ‘hitting a brick wall’.

Ms McVey said it was impossible to name all the areas affected in the time permitted during the debate in Parliament, but noted some residents could face 10 years of noise, dust, and light pollution from the project.

She also highlighted the continual changes to plans and the disruption this is causing.

Ms McVey said: “The land-grab is significant too, and residents cannot understand how the information keeps changing so significantly.

“The land-grab between the Morrisons roundabout and the Lostock triangle is 150% greater on January 2022 maps than in the October 2018 working draft.”

She dismissed suggestions the line was environmentally friendly and pointed to the government’s own figures – which predict just 1% switch from plane to rail and a further 4% from car to rail.

Ms McVey also said 1.5 million tonnes of carbon will be released during the construction stages and HS2 will produce a net increase in carbon emissions for 120 years.

She added: “The line will cause huge devastation across Cheshire, as documented by Mid Cheshire Against HS2, which has described it as a running scar from Crewe to Manchester.

“It has calculated that, across Cheshire, HS2 will irreparably damage five internationally protected wildlife sites, 639 local wildlife sites, 108 ancient woodlands and 33 legally protected scientific sites.

“Although the government talks about new trees being planted, I am sure that we can all see the difference between saplings and ancient woodland.”

Ms McVey thanked Ashley Parish Council, Lach Dennis and Lostock Green Parish Council, Mid Cheshire Against HS2 and geologist Ros Todhunter for their campaigning.

She said their tireless efforts have unearthed the shortcomings of HS2 both in terms of the fundamental concept of the line and its business case.

The Tatton MP made clear she feels the government should scrap the project and spend the money on local transport and the east-west line across the north of England as well as reliable broadband which would benefit everyone.

 

Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullen

Crewe and Nantwich MP, Dr Kieran Mullan, also spoke in Parliament – saying HS2 will bring more opportunities to the area, in particular for young people.

It comes as the bill to make the Crewe to Manchester leg of the high-speed rail line possible entered its latest stage, known as the second reading.

Dr Mullen spoke about the opportunities and investment that HS2 is already providing for local people and businesses, such as the Alsom Crewe works site which has won the main contract for building bogies which sit underneath the carriages.

He’s recently been working with HS2 to organise a meeting for local businesses to hear about how they can win contracts with HS2.

During the debate in Parliament, Dr Mullen said he looked forward to the opportunities that the line will bring once constructed, particularly to young people locally who are seeking career opportunities outside the area.

He also took the opportunity, with the rail minister in the chamber, to show off Crewe’s suitability as the home of Great British Railways – the organisation which will run the UK’s rail network.

Dr Mullen commented: “It is fantastic to welcome another big milestone for HS2 in Parliament, I have spoken frequently about how important the project is for my constituency.

“This will be levelling up in action as it brings jobs, investment, and opportunities to Crewe and the surrounding area.”

He added: “The centrality of Crewe to HS2 is just one of many reasons why Crewe is the best possible candidate for the headquarters of Great British Railways.

“I know we have support for that across the chamber from MPs from Stoke, Chester and around Cheshire, advocating for Crewe’s uniquely placed role in freight, the existing railway network, and the high-speed future of the railway.

“Crewe is at the heart of our railways and railways are at the heart of Crewe.

“Our community is raring to go when it comes to the public vote, and I hope we hear good news about the shortlist soon.”

 

Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury

Weaver Vale’s MP, meanwhile, has demanded more investment in railway infrastructure – as well as HS2.

Mike Amesbury said the Crewe to Manchester leg of HS2 must not be the sum total of all ambition for North West rail.

The Labour MP hit out as the bill for the northern section of HS2 received its second reading.

He said he supports HS2 but understands the criticism of it, given the billions of pounds that’s being poured into the project despite under-investment in the railways more generally.

He commented: “Northwich Railway Station collapsed last year. It’s a miracle nobody was killed. 

“And the long-standing issue of the far platform being inaccessible to disabled people won’t be resolved even after it’s rebuilt.

“Many of my constituents understand the benefits of HS2, but when we have station roofs collapsing and disabled rail users excluded from public transport, they’re not wrong to question why so much money has been made available for HS2 when so little has been invested in our local rail infrastructure.

He added: “Without functional stations, affordable fares, and regular services – particularly to Crewe – my constituents simply won’t reap the economic benefits of HS2, yet they will have to endure the impact of years of construction and permanent changes to the landscape.

“I’ve noted with interest the financial projections for this leg as being up to £22 billion in 2019 prices, and the project as up to £98 billion – something that needs updating in the light of current inflation.

“Given these extraordinary costs, and on behalf of my constituents, I make clear that HS2 must not be the sum of all ambition for North West rail.”

Mr Amesbury said he also noted Cheshire West and Cheshire East councils share disquiet about lack of engagement with communities and difficulties in gaining information.

He said technical geographic concerns have been raised about the proposed route, particularly with respect to local salt mines.

Calling for improved communication over the benefits of HS2, the MP asked: “What about spelling out how many good, local, unionised jobs this will create? What about how much freight it will take off our roads and onto rail? What about local businesses being involved in the supply chain?

“We need to shine a light on these important aspects and not allow speed to be the dominant issue.”

 

Cheshire West and Chester Council deputy leader Cllr Karen Shore

Cheshire West and Chester Council is arranging an online event to hear the views of local businesses in relation to HS2.

The proposed route passes through Cheshire West in Wimboldsley, to the east of Winsford, Rudheath and Lostock Gralam.

A depot will also be constructed close to Wimboldsley to accommodate up to 54 high speed trains.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is inviting local businesses to join the online engagement event on Thursday 30th June, between 4pm and 5pm.

The focus for the event is to reach businesses who will be most significantly and disproportionately affected by the line.

It will form part of the process to ensure all views are heard and considered within the council’s response to HS2.

The council says it aims to raise awareness of its intended priorities and mitigations, and is seeking the views of residents, businesses and any other directly affected organisation.

All feedback will then be fed into the official process.

The council’s deputy leader Cllr Karen Shore thanked those who’ve attended events already.

She said: “It’s very important that we can fully represent the concerns of local communities who will be most significantly and disproportionately affected by the HS2 line.

“The council agrees in principle with HS2 but is concerned about impacts to local communities.

“We have now spoken with town and parish councils and held public events this week in Northwich and Winsford.

“If your business is likely to be affected by HS2, please join us for this next event to share your concerns and comments.

“We need to ensure all of your views are heard and shared with the council.

“Information we receive at these meetings will be used to develop the key themes of the petition to be submitted by the council seeking stronger measures to mitigate adverse impacts of HS2.

The petitioning isn’t to stop the line being built, but to reduce the impact on our residents.”

For details about HS2 in Cheshire West and Chester, please visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/hs2

To book a place on the webinar, please click here.

 

Cheshire East Council deputy leader Cllr Craig Browne

Cheshire East Council says it has noted the second reading of the HS2 Phase 2b Hybrid Bill and the launch of the ‘petitioning period’.

The bill seeks the powers to construct and operate Phase 2b of HS2 (Crewe to Manchester) – which is expected to open between 2035 and 2040.

It had its second reading in the House of Commons on 20th June, which was the first time MPs were able to debate it.

While Cheshire East Council supports the bill in principle, it says this remains conditional on the delivery of an enhanced HS2 hub station for Crewe to support connectivity.

The council adds that it also wants to secure improved mitigation against the negative impacts of the scheme on the environment, landscape, ecology and local transport network in other parts of the borough.

The authority says this includes compensation for people affected by the HS2 line between Crewe and Manchester.

Following the launch of the petitioning period (on 21st June) and in line with a resolution made by full council earlier this year, Cheshire East Council will now prepare a written petition against the bill.

Deputy leader Cllr Craig Browne said: “The council has long recognised the wider economic and regeneration potential that the arrival of HS2 can unlock for Crewe and the wider borough, including jobs and increased business confidence to invest.

“It can also help to address serious capacity issues on our local rail network, thereby enabling improved passenger services and moving more freight from road to rail. 

“By petitioning, it provides the council with the opportunity to seek changes to the proposals in the bill, to how Phase 2b is delivered, and the mitigation provided to seek a better outcome for Cheshire East – including investment needed in Crewe station to facilitate 5/7 trains per hour stopping at Crewe.”

He added: “It is the final opportunity for us to formally raise our concerns and influence the proposals before the bill becomes an act of Parliament.”

The petitioning period ends at 5pm on 4th August, and at a later date there will be select committee hearings where petitions will be heard.

Any individual, group of individuals or organisation ‘directly and specially’ affected by the bill has the right to petition against it.

This could include commenting on matters relating to the route alignment, noise impacts and measures to preserve wildlife.

While the petition set to be put forward by the council will be informed by the strategic concerns within the bill, the authority said it understands there will be local issues raised across the line of the route.

It is expected these will be pursued by town and parish councils through their own right to petition and Cheshire East Council will engage with local councillors to provide support with this.

The hybrid bill and supporting documents can be found on the government’s website at: www.gov.uk/hs2-phase2b-crewe-manchester

Residents who want to know if they are eligible to petition against the bill can contact the HS2 helpdesk on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@HS2.org.uk.

 

About HS2 

HS2 is a planned new high-speed rail line from London to the North-West, with trains linking the biggest cities in Scotland with Manchester, Birmingham and London.

It is the largest infrastructure project in Europe and 170 miles of new high-speed line is already under construction between Crewe and London, employing around 25,000 people.

In total, the Government is planning over 260 miles of new high speed line across the country.

The construction of the new railway is being split into three phases:

  • Phase One (linking London and the West Midlands)
  • Phase 2a (linking the West Midlands and the North via Crewe)
  • Phase 2b (completing the railway to Manchester, the East Midlands and the North).

It’s the second phase of the scheme that will impact Cheshire – and this is expected to open between 2035 and 2040.

 

 

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