Government releases new HS2 plans for High Legh and Ashley

Residents are being asked for their views on the latest plans for HS2 Phase 2b, between Crewe and Manchester, which the Government is now linking to Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) – the name given to future west-east high-speed rail links across the north, previously nicknamed ‘HS3’ and ‘Crossrail for the north’.

The new plans include proposals for two new junctions in High Legh, which would allow HS2 services to run on NPR lines and vice versa.

Also in the pipeline is a temporary ‘railhead’ depot to support HS2’s construction, and a permanent depot for HS2 maintenance, both near Ashley.

In the plans which have gone out for consultation, Chris Grayling MP, transport secretary, said: “The proposed changes to the HS2 route are intended to make it more efficient, cost-effective and to minimise disruption for residents and impacts on the environment.

“Engagement with affected communities is at the heart of our plans, so it is only right that we once again seek the views of those who will be affected. Your response to this consultation will be central to the design of the railway as it develops.

“HS2 will be transformational. It will increase capacity on our congested railways and improve connections between our biggest cities.

“It will support our industrial strategy, create jobs and is critical to this Government’s plans to rebalance our economy. It provides the foundations on which NPR can build.”

According to the Government, the new junctions in High Legh will be built to ensure that ‘minimum disruption’ will be made to the operation of HS2 while NPR lines are built in Cheshire.

One junction will carry NPR services between Manchester and Liverpool via Warrington on HS2 lines, while another will allow London to Liverpool services to run on NPR lines.

But the Government admits that the changes would have a greater visual impact on the area than the current plans, while construction would also become more obtrusive – something which Cllr Kate Parkinson, Conservative Cheshire East Council member for High Legh, recognises.

She said: “As the borough councillor for High Legh ward and a resident in Mobberley ward, I have witnessed the distress and opposition that proposed HS2 infrastructure development is causing to residents and businesses.

“The fact that the Government now requires additional greenbelt land which encapsulates High Legh for two extra junctions will cause more upset in my ward.

“Not only will the building impact increase the level of noise and air pollution, whilst adding more heavy construction vehicles to the rural roads, the residents will be left with permanent structures that deface the aesthetic beauty of the countryside.”

Meanwhile, the Government says a site close to Ashley is ideally located as a ‘railhead’ construction site to support the building of HS2 Phase 2b – while a permanent depot for HS2 maintenance could also be built close-by.

Cllr Charlotte Leach, Conservative CEC member for Mobberley – including Ashley village, believes it is crucial that residents have their say in the consultation.

She said: “Whilst I recognise the desperate need to improve transport infrastructure in the north, clearly this would have a huge impact in Ashley village.

“I would encourage residents to take part in the consultation and make their views known. Now the consultation has launched I am looking forward to reviewing the materials in more detail.”

Graham Dellow, chairman of Mid Cheshire Against HS2, has long campaigned against the project’s arrival in the county – and he believes the plans for Ashley and High Legh would ‘absolutely disastrous’ for the area.

He said: “What is going on up there is far, far bigger than we ever imagined and my view is that it is going to cause one heck of a stink.

“What they are trying to do is add value to HS2 by linking it with NPR and saying neither one is any good without the other. There is support for NPR, people can see the benefits to it, and now they are saying you can’t have NPR without HS2.

“They are making it look like we will get more for our money but what they have not told us is the amount it will cost for the new depot and junctions.

“This is adding to the disaster of HS2. They have talked about making a few tweaks to the route, but this is far more than a tweak – what they are doing here is just diabolical quite honestly.”

But business leaders have welcomed the move – with Damian Waters, north west regional director at the Confederation of British Industry, describing the changes as a ‘massive opportunity for the north and one we must grasp with both hands’.

He said: “Linking up HS2 and the Northern Powerhouse will unlock a series of connections knitting together Manchester, Liverpool and London to a high quality transport network fit for the 21st century.

“Behind these maps and documents is the chance to create hundreds of thousands of jobs and bring new opportunities to our communities.

“The stark reality is that no other scheme or investment can deliver the jobs, growth or regeneration benefits of HS2.

“If we are to regenerate our local economies, we must move forward with both HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.”

HS2 Ltd is holding consultation events to discuss the plans at Mere Court Hotel, in High Legh, from 2pm to 8pm on June 26, and at St Peter’s Assembly Rooms, in Hale, from 2pm to 8pm on July 12.

Residents can submit their comments on the proposals until September 6.

For more information call HS2 Ltd on 08081 434434 or email

To see the consultation documents in full,