HS2 in west Cheshire
HS2 update 4 October 2023
Council asks for clarification on future transport investment plans.
Cheshire West and Chester Council has expressed extreme disappointment and is seeking clarification on the future investment in the North West transport infrastructure following the cancellation of HS2 north of Birmingham. (Announced 4 October 2023)
HS2 high-speed railway
HS2 is a planned new high-speed rail link in the United Kingdom, the first phase is between London and the West Midlands, a second phase between the West Midlands and Crewe and a third phase from Crewe to Manchester (phase 2b). The third phase will pass through west Cheshire.
HS2 plans to increase rail capacity, freeing up space on existing lines for more commuter, regional and freight services. This will relieve overcrowding and improve reliability for millions of people using Britain's railways.
The Council supports the general principle of HS2 but will make sure the concerns of residents and businesses are heard at the highest level. The Council still needs reassurance that measures will be put in place to help with the vast negative impacts on communities, businesses, local services as well as on the natural and built environment.
HS2 in Cheshire
The route will pass through various parts of Cheshire East, with a large Station at Crewe and Rolling Stock Depot where trains will be based and maintained, located north of Crewe in Cheshire West and Chester.
This Phase aims to free up capacity on the congested West Coast Main Line as long-distance trains are moved on to dedicated HS2 track. HS2 will also improve reliability and cut journey times. Birmingham will be about 40 minutes from Manchester, more than halving the journey time. London will be 1 hour 11 minutes from Manchester, saving 54 minutes.
HS2 route
The proposed route through the eastern area of the borough is Wimboldsley to Lostock Gralam.
Traveling north from Walley's Green on embankment, passing Middlewich to the east, before crossing the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union Canal on viaduct.
It continues on embankment, passing Winsford to the west and crossing the River Dane on viaduct.
The route will continue north towards Lostock Gralam, alternating between embankment and viaduct to cross over Puddlinglake Brook, the Trent and Mersey Canal, Gad Brook, Wade Brook, Peover Eye and Smoker Brook before continuing into the Pickmere to Agden and Hulseheath area.
Crewe North rolling stock depot
The proposed scheme includes the Crewe North rolling stock depot, to be built on land between the route of the proposed scheme and the West Coast Main Line, north-east of Walley's Green.
This operational and maintenance hub will feature 27 sidings of 400 metre length to accommodate up to 54 high speed trains. When operational, the works undertaken at this depot will be more extensive than elsewhere on the Western Leg, ranging from light cleaning to heavy duty maintenance. This depot is where most train drivers would be based and would start and end their shifts.
Areas affected
HS2 affects the eastern part of Davenham and Moulton.
Indirectly affected along the eastern border, villages include Wincham and Great Budworth
Direct affect to southern border
Majorly affected
Winsford Gravel
Directly affected on east and south sides of ward.
Winsford Wharton
Directly affected to east of ward.
Construction of HS2 will cause significant and disproportionate adverse impacts on some communities in the borough, part of which is the proposed train rolling stock depot near Wimboldsley. There will be lasting and major impacts of severance, landscape and noise across a wide area with the scheme already creating worry and anxiety for many people who will be directly affected.
Local schools
Impacts on schools in the borough, are detailed in the Council's responses to consultations.
Care homes
The construction will cause an impact on visitors to Care Homes who may visit less frequently as a result, impacting on the health and wellbeing of residents who are older and/or disabled.
Main roads
Cheshire West and Chester Council along with Cheshire East Council are jointly concerned about the impact on roads at the following key locations:
- A530 Nantwich Road / Chapel Lane
- A556 Chester Road / A530 King Street
- A54 Middlewich Road / Road One / Clive Lane
- A556 Shurlach Road / Birches Lane
- A54 Holmes Chapel Road / A533 Leadsmithy Street, Middlewich
It is vital that the Council conducts continuing detailed scrutiny of HS2 to ensure that the impact on Cheshire is as minimal as possible. The Council will consider opposing the scheme in its present form, working with the Government consultants to reduce the impact on west Cheshire of any high-speed railway to ensure it does not unnecessarily harm the Cheshire countryside or create blight on our residents, businesses and recreational facilities.
Construction of HS2 Phase 2a rephased by two years
The Secretary of State for Transport made a statement in Parliament about delivery of the government's capital programmes on 9 March 2023.
The government is prioritising HS2's initial services between Old Oak Common in London and Birmingham Curzon Street and will be delivering Euston alongside high-speed infrastructure to Manchester. The government continues to take the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill through Parliament.
Construction of HS2 Phase 2a between Birmingham and Crewe will be rephased by two years with an aim to deliver high-speed services to Crewe and the North West as soon as possible after accounting for the delay in construction.
Full statement
HS2 Phase 2b underlying ground conditions report
HS2 Ltd has produced a report published 3 March 2023 about the geological conditions underneath its Proposed Scheme between north of Crewe, across the Cheshire Plain through to Rostherne Mere, supporting its conclusions that the current alignment in this area is the preferred route, and that the railway can be delivered, operated and maintained safely in the context of the ground conditions.
Details and policy paper:
Petitioning
Following a recommendation by Cabinet on 20 April 2022, the meeting of Full Council on 19 May 2022 resolved for Cheshire West and Chester Council to petition to Parliament against the HS2 Phase 2b: High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill 2022 in relation to those aspects that could negatively impact the borough.
The process of petitioning the HS2 select committee is the chance to secure mitigation and further amendments to the scheme.
The Council submitted their petition on 4 August 2022. The concerns raised by the Council relate to highways and active travel, public transport and public rights of way, Climate Change, equality and diversity, landscape and visual, ecology and biodiversity, schools, ground conditions, Crewe North Rolling Stock Depot, the need for engagement officers, waste and minerals.
The full petition can be viewed at:
A second petition from Cheshire West and Chester Council against the proposed changes (Additional Provision) to the HS2 Phase 2b: High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill 2022 was submitted on 9 August.
The full petition can be viewed at:
Select Committee
On 13 December 2022, the House of Commons agreed a motion to appoint the following MPs to the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill Select Committee:
- Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly
- Anthony Higginbotham, Conservative MP for Burnley
- Grahame Morris, Labour MP for Easington
- Holly Mumby-Croft, Conservative MP for Scunthorpe
- Dr Lisa Cameron, Scottish National Party MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
- Andrew Percy, Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole
- Martin Vickers, Conservative MP for Cleethorpes
Now that Select Committee membership has been approved, it is able to commence its work considering petitions against the Bill.
Andrew Percy, Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole has been selected to be the Chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee.
The Select Committee has now published its initial programme of public meetings, starting with hearing the Bill promoter's Opening Statement. The initial programme includes hearings with petitioners between 27 February and 14 March 2023.
Petition withdrawal
On 30 June 2023, the Council withdrew its Petition after a full package of positive assurances had been secured. The Council originally lodged its Petition on the understanding that if the issues raised were not satisfactorily addressed, it would present its case to the House of Commons HS2 Phase 2B Select Committee in July.
The Council has been actively involved in negotiations with HS2 Limited over the past year to ensure its concerns are addressed.
The issues taken up with the company have been wide-ranging and include those relating to; enhanced engagement and support for the most significantly and disproportionately affected areas - Lostock Gralam, Lach Dennis and Lostock Green, Stanthorne and Wimboldsley. Highways, active travel, public rights of way, equality and diversity, landscape and visual, biodiversity, schools, ground conditions, Crewe North Rolling Stock Depot, the need for improved engagement, waste and minerals.
The agreements secured will be written into the Bill and guaranteed by the Secretary of State.
Statement read onto the record on 4 July 2023
Additional Provision 2 Petition
On 3 July 2023, a second set of proposed changes to the Bill, known as Additional Provision 2 (AP2), were introduced to Parliament by the UK Government. The Council submitted their petition against AP2 on 15 August 2023. The main concerns raised by the Council relate to impacts on highways and minerals.
The full petition can be viewed at:
Consultation submissions
Your questions answered
Find your questions on HS2 answered.
Additional provision
The Government has deposited in Parliament, a proposed set of amendments to the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill 2022. This is known as an Additional Provision with a description of the amendments to A559 Manchester Road and A530.
Engagement events
Engagement events for those who will be most significantly and disproportionately affected by the proposed HS2 line took place in June.
- Webinar to give a brief presentation on the progress of the Bill and the changes that are being considered. The majority of time, however, will be set aside for questions – giving you the chance to ask HS2 Ltd about the Bill and what it means in your area.
- A virtual Town and Parish Engagement Event was held on Microsoft Teams 9.30am to 10.30am Wednesday 15 June 2022.
- A face-to-face engagement event 4pm to 6pm Wharton Library Winsford Tuesday 21 June 2022.
- A face-to-face engagement event 4pm to 6pm Wednesday 22 June 2022 at Northwich Memorial Court.
Enquiries
If you have a question about the construction of HS2, you should contact HS2 direct either by email or via their HS2 helpdesk team on:
- Telephone: 08081 434 434
- Email: hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
- Write to: FREEPOST, HS2 Community Engagement