HS2 really is the gift that keeps on giving, isn’t it. But not in a good way.

Not only is the cost of the project escalating to an eye-watering amount – the current estimated cost of HS2 is between £72bn and £98bn (at 2019 prices), compared with an original budget of £55.7bn in 2015 (at 2015 prices) but it is also ripping through precious countryside.

And that’s a problem. Not just for the communities affected and the wildlife habitats lost, it also has the potential to be a real issue for politicians.

I mention this after reading the sad – and infuriating – story of Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s Sean Hawkins nature reserve at Millington which is set to be compulsory purchased by HS2 Ltd despite objections.

As the Guardian reported, the wildlife meadow is home to water voles and much of the land surrounding the nature reserve is also under threat from HS2 Ltd’s plans to cut through the area, including the ancient woodland at Millington Clough.

There is understandable anger with Dr Rachel Giles of Cheshire Wildlife Trust saying: “It’s extremely sad to lose Sean Hawkins Meadow, a wonderful place that was donated to us for the benefit of nature.

"The injustice is exacerbated by the lack of plans to make up for this huge loss.

"We’re not aware of any specific proposals to compensate for the loss of the nature reserve and only 1.5 hectares of new plantation is proposed for the loss of the neighbouring ancient woodland.

"There are no current plans to catch and relocate the water voles during the construction process.

"This is unacceptable and is in part due to HS2 failing to use the information that we have provided them.

"There’s a complete lack of recognition for the staggering scale of the damage that HS2 is causing."

My heart goes out to Dr Giles and I wish her and her colleagues well.

But there may be a political price to pay. Cast your mind back to June last year and the Chesham and Amersham by-election.

In the 2019 general election, the Tories won the seat with a whopping majority of more than 16,000. Fast forward to the 2021 by-election and that safe Tory seat was won by the Liberal Democrats by more than 8,000 votes.

Yes, a lot of factors were in play but one of the most significant was, you guessed it, HS2.

Even Peter Fleet, the unsuccessful Tory candidate, was coy about the project saying he wanted to work to ‘protect the special character’ of the area, including ‘minimising disruption from HS2’.

He added: “I live in the constituency so I have long been opposed to HS2.

"I'm demanding green bridges for wildlife to cross the tracks. We've got the most beautiful green spaces in the country and I want to keep them that way so.”

But the election was won by Lib Dem Sarah Green who had a much simpler message: “For me, HS2 is a big no. If elected, I will be a thorn in the side of this government and HS2 contractors.

“Just like HS2, this Conservative government wants to allow developers to build over our green belt with local residents powerless to stop them.”

Tory politicians in leafy Cheshire whose constituencies are affected by HS2 – and let’s face it, we have a few of those – would be well advised to listen to the message that Chesham and Amersham sent.

HS2 is nothing more than a costly vanity project and the sooner it is scrapped and the money spent elsewhere the better.

On another topic, I’m happy to see Cheshire Police has finally got the message about the chaos caused by too many day trippers visiting Pickmere Lake.

Last weekend, the lake area was the subject of a dispersal order which gave the police extra powers to remove people where they believe their behaviour is causing a nuisance, harassment or distress.

Insp Andy Baker said: “These powers allow us to take stronger action in deterring anti-social behaviour and bring a form of reassurance to residents.

“We certainly don’t want to stop people from visiting but the actions of some who do attend can involve inconsiderate parking which can also be dangerous if an emergency service needed to get to the area.

“We will continue to patrol the area and issue fines where appropriate.”

Oh well, better late than never.