A PROPOSED temporary compound which would have seen HS2 ground investigations carried out from a Rudheath site has been rejected.

Cheshire West and Chester Council planning officers took issue with the number of lorries set to operate from the, calling the potential impact on the highways network ‘unacceptable’.

The compound would have taken up residence sandwiched between Cookes Lane and the A556 – with access from the A530 and Penny's Lane – acting as a base for staff carrying out ground investigations.

Ground investigations constitute works required in advance of the main construction programme, including site access, detailed investigations, environmental surveys, and environmental mitigation works.

The compound would be one of many, located strategically along the HS2 route based on factors including access, proximity to GI sites, and size and cost of land.

Northwich Guardian:

An HS2 transport assessment insisted the area would not be ‘materially affected’ by traffic, but CWAC Highways officers pointed to the high number of vehicle movements during construction of the hub and its three-year lifespan.

During construction the site would have seen an estimated 106 HGV movements per week, while normal operation would have seen around 55 cars using the site within a 12-hour period.

In refusing the applicaiton, CWAC said: “The development would result in a large number of vehicles, in particular HGVs, that would be required to make unsafe vehicular manoeuvres within the highway network surrounding the site, which would consequently result in an unacceptable impact upon highway safety.

2019 >>> HS2 compound could be in place for 3 years before building work begins

“As such, the proposal fails to demonstrate that additional traffic can be accommodated safely and satisfactorily within the existing highway network and would create unacceptable impacts on road safety.

“In this instance the scale of amendment necessary to achieve an acceptable outcome would result in a significantly different development.

“It has therefore not been possible to work with the applicant in a positive and proactive way to secure a development.”

HS2 was given the go-ahead by Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this month, with a review of Phase 2b.

The hub at Rudheath would have been in situ for three years, prior to construction work commencing on the route infrastructure itself.