In response to an approach by the Cheshire East Local Access Forum, Highways England indicated that feasibility works were planned in 2017/18, with design for a replacement bridge planned for 2018/19 and construction in 2019/20, subject to funding constraints.
Highways England have appointed consultants to prepare an options report. Meetings have been held to inform the consultants of the PROW requirements of the proposed structure. The alignment of the PROW falls within the safeguarded land for HS2 Phase 2b so a new bridge could not be constructed on the definitive route.
Therefore options being assessed include:
a) Siting the bridge further north
b) Siting the bridge further south
c) Constructing a combined RB/HS2 bridge.
The options report was anticipated to be available at the end of the calendar year 2018. This has not been received and has been chased.
HS2 Phase 2b proposals do not currently include this bridge. This has been raised in formal consultation responses from the Council to HS2 Ltd. and by the statutory Cheshire East Countryside Access Forum. |