The next stage of public consultation has begun on the controversial Golborne Spur of HS2.
James Grundy, MP for Leigh, stated:
“I had a constructive discussion with HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson yesterday regarding the future of the Golborne Spur. The minister has informed me that no final decision has been taken as yet on this section of the proposed line, and that further consultation is to take place on changes to the route. The decision will be subject to the outcomes of the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP).
“The Golborne Spur of HS2 negatively affects thousands of families in the Lowton and Golborne area, including my own, and local sentiment there is almost unanimous that the approximately £3 billion planned to be spent on the spur could be better spent elsewhere, and that the spur should be cancelled.
“I urge people to engage with the next stage of the consultation process. The more that opposition to this project can be demonstrated, the better the chances are that this scheme can be stopped.”
The latest route refinements, generated by the last round of public consultation, which took place in 2019, have also been published, containing a number of mitigation measures in the event that the project proceeds, including changes to the proposed realignment of Wilton Lane, an alternate location for the football pitches currently situated on Lowton Civic Field, Hesketh Meadow Lane, an additional underpass on the section of the route proposed to run through Byrom Wood and the relocation of a construction compound to move it further away from Lowton J&I primary school and Kings Avenue council estate.
Mr Grundy encourages any constituents who may have further questions or concerns to contact his parliamentary office for assistance.