The Council supports the general principle of HS2. This is the biggest infrastructure project in a generation. The construction of HS2 Phase 2b will have a significant impact on the lives, communities and countryside of west Cheshire for many years. It is vital that the Council conducts continuing detailed scrutiny of HS2 to ensure that the impact on the Borough is as minimal as possible.

Following a vote by Full Council on 19 May 2022, the Council resolved to petition against the HS2 Phase 2b: High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill 2022 in relation to those aspects that could negatively impact the Borough.

The Council will work with the Government consultants and its own external advisors to reduce the impact on the borough of the construction and operation of HS2, including of any other associated buildings and infrastructure to ensure it does not unnecessarily harm the Cheshire countryside or create unnecessary blight on our residents, businesses and recreational facilities.

The Council's priority measures required of HS2 include mitigation, community advocacy, maximising the opportunities for deriving economic benefit and employment opportunities for our residents, maintaining traffic flow, ensuring community safety and holding HS2 Ltd to account during the construction phase.

Mitigation - this means actions that can help to reduce the impact on residents or compensate for the impact.

Advocacy - this means the Council will act on behalf of residents and businesses to share concerns and issues.

Campaigns

HS2 in west Cheshire

International Women's Day