Town councillors fear HS2 construction could hit Northwich businesses

So said town councillor Derek Bowden this week as town councillors voiced their concerns over the impact on the town of the proposed second phase of the high speed rail link.

Cllr Bowden is part of a group of town councillors who are putting together the council’s response to a HS2 consultation which ends on March 9.

The council’s views are to be shared with neighbouring parish councils, and a representative from HS2 is to be invited to speak to the town council.

“The proposed route will impact on people travelling to and from Northwich, as well as Gadbrook Park, Roberts Bakery, the Morrisons warehouse and residents of Griffiths Road,” said Cllr Bowden.

He was also concerned about the impact on the area of roadworks he said would be part of the construction work.

“There are thousands of work-related journeys carried out on these roads every day, and what impact will several years of construction have on Northwich businesses?” he said.

“Our business communities have had to fight so hard to keep their heads above water during work on Barons Quay and the gyratory, and have done wonders in keeping afloat.”

Councillor Brian Jamieson said the route proposed in 2013 had been changed because it was found to be going through the Holford brine fields and gas storage area.

He was concerned that pre-2013 potential routes through Lostock Gralam and near Northwich did not show the Winsford Salt Mine or gas cavities at Lostock.

“They don’t identity any old salt mines or old salt cavities that could be in existence east of Northwich, which everybody knows are there,” he added.

“For them to move the line westerly towards Northwich is quite unbelievable.

“If what they are proposing happens the new housing site at Cookes Lane will have to be demolished, and the A556 will have to be moved.

“We need answers, because if we don’t say anything and residents don’t say anything the line will go through east Northwich.”