Cheshire West and Chester Council receives details of new HS2 Additional Provision

Cheshire West and Chester Council successfully secured a full package of positive assurances from HS2 Ltd. against HS2 Phase 2b: High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill 2022 and an Additional Provision (AP1).

HS2 Ltd. are preparing further changes to some of the proposals that were put forward in the Bill. Changes to hybrid Bills are not unusual and can be made because of design development, new information being received, engagement and discussions with affected individuals and stakeholders, or changes introduced during the Parliamentary process.

A second set of proposed changes to the HS2 Crewe – Manchester Bill, known as Additional Provision 2 (AP2), has been introduced to Parliament by the UK Government. Proposed amendments to the design in west Cheshire include changes to the highway and junctions, along with utility works including those to the junction of:

• A559 Manchester Road, A559 Hall Lane and Station Road where the carriage way will be permanently widened to provide a left-turn lane on the south-west side of the A559 Manchester Road
• Temporary modification of the junction of A530 King Street, A530 Croxton Lane and B5309 King Street to add new signals and provide a left turn on A530 Croxton Lane.

Details about all the changes proposed for Cheshire West and Chester or any other information included in AP2 can be viewed at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hs2-phase-2b-high-speed-rail-crewe-manchester-additional-provision-2

The deposit of AP2 features a new petitioning period which closes at 5pm on 15 August 2023. Those whose property or interests are specially and directly affected by changes in AP2 can submit a petition against these proposals and have their concerns heard by the Select Committee.

More information about the petitioning process can be found on the Parliament website at: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/597 -

AP2 is accompanied by an Environment Statement (AP2 ES) and a Supplementary Environmental Statement (SES2). A public consultation is being held by HS2 Ltd. on these documents and closes at 11.45pm on 31 August 2023.

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Transport said:

“As with the original HS2 Phase 2b Bill and the first Additional Provision we are now examining the implications of the latest changes and  considering whether a petition will be submitted.

“The construction of HS2 Phase 2b will have a significant impact on the lives, communities and countryside of west Cheshire, our detailed scrutiny of HS2 will continue so that we can ensure the impact on the Borough is kept to a minimum.

“We support the general principle of HS2, with the benefits it can bring for residents and local businesses and will also stand up for the rights of all those directly affected by its construction.”

For further information, go to:

Council HS2 web page:

http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/hs2

HS2 Limited website: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/high-speed-two-limited