LOSTOCK Gralam Parish Council is urging the Northwich community to pull together in the fight against a new high speed rail link for the UK.
More than 100 people voiced their concerns at a meeting of the parish council on Monday night, with many worried how the route will affect their house prices and future prospects.
The proposed route of Phase Two of the £32billion High Speed Two (HS2) line was revealed last week and hailed as an ‘engine for growth’ by Chancellor and Tatton MP George Osborne.
But many Lostock residents have questioned Mr Osborne’s role in deciding the route, with the Birmingham to Manchester leg running through Whatcroft, Lach Dennis, Lostock Gralam, Lostock Green and Pickmere.
Lostock Green resident Fiona Cotton asked the parish council to speak to Mr Osborne and find out why it was their village that had fallen victim to the route.
She said: “We need to let it be known that from our point of view where we are here, it feels like we are the second tier, a lower level of the electorate.
“The route goes around the Golden Triangle of Knutsford, Prestbury and Alderley Edge, but not around us – why?”
One resident said they laughed when they heard the news last week, dubbing it as the ‘final straw’ for Lostock.
Clr Emma Guy, vice chairman of Lostock Gralam Parish Council, echoed the concerns of residents.
She said: “Lostock seems to be the centre of the universe – everything seems to happen to us.
“We’ve got the incinerator fight, now we’ve got HS2.
“I think the community should be given something back.”
Clr Guy added: “Lostock Gralam Parish Council seems to fight everything and we want the neighbouring parish councils to work together with us.
“We are going to fight this for our local community.
“We can’t stop HS2 from happening, but we can stop it from coming through our homes.
“We urge you all to do as much as you can. Go online, fill in the consultation. You all have a voice, make it heard.”
The parish council is now hoping to organise a public meeting with its neighbouring councils, with the hope of inviting George Osborne to speak to residents.
• Lostock Gralam Parish Council will discuss HS2 again at its next meeting on Monday, March 4, with the leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Clr Mike Jones in attendance. The meeting will take place at Lostock Gralam Church Hall, in Station Road, from 7.30pm.
• To have your say on the proposed HS2 route, visit hs2.org.uk
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