Alarm at HS2 Subsidence Risk

Residents in Lymm have expressed alarm at the finding of a new report suggesting that the proposed route of HS2 cutting throu gh the eastern part of the village might be at risk of subsidence due to old salt mines.
A report for HS2 Ltd has identified five sites near Lymm where the risk is red and fourteen where it is amber.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Marks says, "This is frightening and I first read about it in last Sunday's press. The route through Cheshire has already been changed to avoid salt mines but why has it taken until now to find out about the risk in Lymm?

The Parish Council has just sent off its response to the HS2 consultation. We welcomed the move of the rolling stock depot from Golborne to near Crewe. This removed one of the reasons for having the link / spur to the east of Warrington. People have differing views about the merits of HS2, but most people object to this link. We think it is a waste of money and will have a detrimental effect on the environment in our village. HS2 claims the link is needed to access routes to the north and Scotland.

We strongly support Warrington Council's campaign to upgrade the existing line from Crewe to Warrington and create an upgraded station at Bank Quay. This alternative would have the big advantage of linking in with the proposed east / west so-called HS3 route and support Warrington's role in the Northern Powerhouse. I just hope this new finding will persuade HS2 Ltd to think again and avoid the eastern route through Lymm and Culcheth. Safety is of over-riding importance and HS2 should now get behind Warrington Council's upgrade proposal."

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