ANTI-HS2 campaigners are seeking donations to help pay for a report on the impact of the proposed high speed rail link.

Mid Cheshire Against HS2 paid £8,000 to commission a report into the implications for the area of the controversial scheme.

In the meantime HS2 Ltd has announced a number of proposed changes to Phase 2b of the scheme, and the group is looking to produce a supplementary report to reflect the planned amendments.

The new report will cost a further £4,000, and has been commissioned from the same geological consultants which produced the initial report.

“We have to produce another report to cover the proposed route changes, and need to raise £4,000 to pay for it,” said Mid Cheshire Against HS2 secretary Graham Dellow.

“The report will present the case for not going ahead with HS2 on the basis of its impact on the geology of the area.

“We would be grateful for any donations, and anyone who can help can email us at mcahs2@yahoo.co.uk.”

About 800 people attended a HS2 Ltd consultation day at Wincham to quiz HS2 representatives about planned changes to the route and compensation schemes.

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.