CAMPAIGNERS fighting the proposed HS2 rail link are to symbolically burn £50 billion next Saturday at a farm which could be affected by the controversial scheme.

Campaign group Mid Cheshire Against HS2 says £50 billion is the current estimated cost of HS2, and the ‘money’ will go up in flames at Greenheyes Farm near Middlewich.

Fifty boxes, each symbolically containing £1 billion, are due to be thrown onto a bonfire to represent what campaigners say is the huge waste of money earmarked for the high speed link.

The event is being held at 7pm on January 31 to mark the second anniversary of the announcement of the second phase of HS2.

The campaign group is planning the bonfire to publicise its fight against HS2, and aims to record the event for a video to be promoted on You Tube in conjunction with a similar bonfire being staged by anti-HS2 campaigners in Staffordshire.

Graham Dellow is one of the campaign group members due to attend the bonfire at Greenheyes Farm.

“Members of the public are welcome to come along, but should be advised that Greenheyes is a working farm, and therefore wellington boots are essential,” said Graham.

“If HS2 does go ahead the farm house at Greenheyes will be demolished, and the farm almost certainly would no longer be viable.

“We are seeking to emphasise what a huge amount of money £50 billion, the current estimate of HS2, is by the symbolic burning of the sum.”

The campaign group held a public meeting at Greenheyes Farm in July 2013, which was attended by more than 220 people including MP Eddisbury Stephen O’Brien and UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall.

Dairy farmer Phil Smallwood, from Greenheyes Farm, told the meeting he would lose his house and some of his current holding if the proposed route of HS2 was given the go-ahead.

Graham said he expected between 25 and 30 campaigners and members of the public to attend Saturday’s bonfire, which is aimed at gaining local and national publicity for the fight against HS2.

For more details on the event ring Graham on 07816 682746.