HUNDREDS of residents quizzed HS2 representatives on Friday about how the proposed high speed rail link will affect their lives and homes.

Wincham Hall Hotel hosted a HS2 Ltd consultation day to explain planned changes to the route between Middlewich and Pickmere and compensation schemes.

The event was attended by 800 people the day after a similar event at Crewe, which attracted 1,200 people.

Alison Munro, HS2 managing director for development, said: “We had people coming along who are very close to the line, and obviously they are concerned.

“Our purpose is to give people the information they need, what’s available in terms of compensation, why we have made the changes and a better understanding of how it might affect them.

“It is essential you get out to talk to members of the public. We need to understand the affects we are having on people and what their concerns are.

“We were pleased with the turnout, and I hope even if people don’t agree with the scheme or don’t like the impact it is having on them they will think we are professional and open and provide them with good information.”

The Secretary of State is minded to amend the route between Middlewich and Pickmere to avoid building over cavities used for brining and gas storage.

The plan is to move the route westwards by up to 800 metres after crossing the River Dane floodplain.

As a result the viaduct over the River Dane would be lengthened by more than 400 metres, and the route follows the existing A556 corridor for about one kilometre.

The consultation document said: “As a result of this change the route to the north of Lostock Gralam has been moved eastwards by up to 400 metres, taking the line further east of Pickmere to avoid the greatest concentrations of brining and gas storage infrastructure and reduce risks during construction and operation.”

The route has also been raised at its passes through the Cheshire salt plains. For about five kilometres north of Crewe it has been raised so it is on embankments up to eight metres high.

“As the route heads north between Winsford and Middlewich the HS2 line has been lifted out of cutting to a maximum height of eight metres,” said the document.

“To avoid the railway running in cutting in this area, the viaduct over the River Dane floodplain and Trent and Mersey Canal has also been raised from a maximum height of 10 metres to a maximum height of 26 metres.”

Graham Dellow from Mid Cheshire Against HS2 said the prevailing mood of those who attended the consultation event at Wincham was one of ‘dissatisfaction’ with the recently-announced route refinements.

“He said: “Most of people leaving were very dissatisfied with the answers to their questions.

“There were people queuing to get in and out, throughout the event. I left at about 7.15pm, and they were still queuing to get in then.

“The geology of mid Cheshire is going to become a very big issue, as is the conflict with businesses at Gadbrook Park.”