ANTI-HS2 campaigner Ros Todhunter has criticised a firm for ‘chasing residents to make money out of our dire predicament’.

Ros is a geologist and member of Mid Cheshire Against HS2, and lives in Lostock Green, which she says will be badly hit by the proposed rail link.

Ros was furious at discovering the un-franked letter she paid £2 to collect from Northwich Post Office was from a firm offering to help residents affected by HS2.

A number of homes in the village would be demolished under the HS2 plans, she said, and about half would be directly affected by issues such as noise from the rail link and its visibility.

“There are 150 houses in Lostock Green, and the whole village received the same postcard I did stating there was a letter to collect that was un-stamped, and if you pay a £2 fee it can be delivered or collected,” she said.

“I had the hassle of going into Northwich to collect the letter and pay the £2, and it was the last straw when I realised it was from a firm seeking clients from homes affected by HS2 – chasing residents to make money out of our dire predicament.”

The firm which sent the letter, Hinson Parry from Stone, apologised in an email to one of the residents who received it.

“Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience it has caused you and your neighbours,” said Roger Bedson from the firm.

Hinson Parry used a company to collect and deliver its mail, he said, and it appeared the firm’s machine didn’t frank the mail before they were sent to the post office.

He said: “As the postage paid, company logo and our return address was not printed on the letters, the post office could not return them to us, so unfortunately a number of people have received a note asking them to collect unpaid mail.

“Although it was out of our hands we apologise for the franking error. We contacted the company immediately, and they are looking into the situation and how to remedy it.”

He stressed the letter was a genuine offer of assistance.

“We have been involved with HS2 since its announcement, and continue to give lectures and support to those who ask for it where we can,” he said.

“In these situations people affected by such a scheme will generally need some advice on the best way forwards.”