Council responds to HS2 Phase 2a safeguarding announcement from government

Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and chair of its highways and transport committee, said: “The council is disappointed that the Government has taken the steps to remove the safeguarding for Phase 2a of HS2, especially given there remain some uncertainties around what services will run on the West Coast Main Line north of Birmingham and therefore the key infrastructure that will be required – such as whether or not there will be investment at Crewe station to enable the longer 400m HS2 services to split and join at Crewe. 

“The removal of the safeguarding for Phase 2a does not necessarily mean that any land already acquired by HS2 will be immediately sold, and the council will be requesting that Government publishes further details of the land sale process as soon as possible.”

Cllr Browne added: “I recognise this news will undoubtedly cause concerns for residents and businesses who may have land interests that are affected by this announcement.

“While Government has said that it is writing to the owners of properties affected by this update explaining what these changes mean to them, I would like to remind them that the HS2 helpdesk remains available to them. 

“The council continues to engage with Government to seek to secure a fair and equitable compensation and investment deal for Cheshire East following the cancellation of HS2 north of Birmingham.”

To contact the HS2 helpdesk:

• Freephone: 08081 434 434
• Minicom: 08081 456 472
• Email