HS2 campaigners are due to have the proposed high speed rail link debated by Cheshire West and Cheshire Council after presenting a petition containing almost 1,700 signatures to the authority.

The number exceeded the 1,500 needed to trigger a debate on HS2 at borough council level, but the debate is unlikely to take place before July because of the General Election.

It will take place at a full meeting of Cheshire West and Chester (CWAC), and the Mid Cheshire Against HS2 petition was presented at Thursday’s full council meeting by CWAC councillor Mark Stocks.

Cllr Stocks told councillors that HS2 would have a significant impact on Mid Cheshire.

“It is going to destroy several rural communities and affect many people’s lives,” he said.

“Since its announcement HS2 has had an impact on people across Mid Cheshire, Cheshire as a whole and the centralised area of the country.

“It is not just the actual impact of the scheme, it is also the uncertainty that people are living with.

“There are people who will lose their homes and businesses as a result of this, and as a council we need to address the issues of our residents, who have significant concerns about this scheme.

“What is most important is that this council has to have an open debate at which the issues and concerns can be properly raised and dealt with, and that residents who have genuine fears are given reassurance and support by this council.”

The presentation of the petition was attended by about 15 members of Mid Cheshire Against HS2, including Ros Todhunter, who came up with the idea of using the petition to trigger a full council debate, Ewen Simpson and Graham Dellow.

“Cllr Stocks’ speech to the council was good, and he was quite passionate about not wanting HS2 in his neck of the woods,” said Graham.

The group’s paper petition is now closed, and people are being encouraged to sign its online petition.

A HS2 awareness event, possibly in the form of a coffee morning, is being planned by the group for Wincham Community Centre in April.