IT was a bolt from the blue for residents of Hollins Green when they found out their village would be affected by the HS2 announcement.

On Monday homeowners and businesses were left to take stock after the Government announced proposals for the route of the 225mph trains would see it come through their area.

And like areas in Culcheth, Glazebrook and Rixton they are now evaluating what impact the train line could have.

Neil McArthur owns The Black Swan, on Manchester Road, which might lose part of its car park to the line.

His own home in Glazebrook is also on the path of the line.

He said: “The reason we didn’t think it was expected because it’s a spur off the line from Manchester and I don’t think anyone was expecting it.

“I’m worried it will completely destroy the village. It might be the end of it as we know it.

“This is the last bit of greenbelt land between Warrington and Greater Manchester.”

Meanwhile Glazebrook Lane resident Margaret Ardern will also see the open fields at the back of her house go if it is built.

The 63-year-old said: “It came out of the blue. I have lived here for more than 30 years and it’s a lovely little village and it seems a shame it will be blighted by this horrendous construction.

“I don’t think the line is needed. Getting to London in two hours is a fantastic service.”

The proposed line will act as a link from the Manchester line up to the West Coast Mainline in Wigan for onward trains to Scotland, bypassing Warrington Bank Quay.

And the terrain the line will have to cross, including the Manchester Ship Canal, it will mean a large viaduct will appear near to the current M6 Thelwall viaduct and opposers say it will cause a blight on the landscape.

“It’s going to be a massive structure,” added Neil. “But I think there is a lot of water to go under the bridge.

“I don’t think people are over reacting because there is a year of consultation but the question is will it get built at all?”