TATTON MP George Osborne is to discuss HS2 issues raised by Lostock Green residents with the Transport Secretary.

Mr Osborne held a surgery with residents from Lostock Green and the surrounding villages to update them on the latest developments on the proposed high speed rail link.

He said: “This was a productive meeting, and I am grateful to local resident Kathy O’Donoghue for bringing everyone together. I will be taking up a number of matters raised with the Transport Secretary.

“As one of the local MPs with a constituency on the planned route I am here to assist anyone personally affected by the project by liaising with HS2 and the Department for Transport, so please do not hesitate to contact my office.”

A spokesman for Mr Osborne’s office said: “HS2 have confirmed with Mr Osborne that the route will be published before the end of this year, with an announcement from the Secretary of State currently expected in November.

“Confirmation of the route will be followed shortly by the launch of safeguarding directions, which will trigger statutory blight provisions for properties that fall within the safeguarded area.

“There will also be a consultation on extending the discretionary schemes currently available on Phase 1 and 2a of HS2 to the rest of the Phase 2 route, with the current intention being that the Need to Sell scheme will be brought in to replace the current Exceptional Hardship Scheme.”

Guidance on statutory blight and discretionary property schemes available once the route is confirmed can be found on the following web pages - www.gov.uk/claim-compensation-if-affected-by-hs2 , and www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-phase-one-safeguarding-for-property-owners