WITH banners and even an inflatable white elephant the no to HS2 campaigners gave the public consultation from HS2 Limited an usual welcome to Culcheth.

The people behind the bid to build a high speed railway line from London to the north west held an event for residents to find out more about the plans at Culcheth Sports Club on Thursday.

And hundreds turned out to see the plans for themselves.

Stephen McFarlene, head of community engagement with HS2 Limited, said: “We are really pleased with the turn out. We had more than 300 through the door in the afternoon alone.

“There is a mixture of views and there is a lot of people interested in what it means in Warrington and people concerned about the impact on the local area.

“The main thing is we are encouraging people to take part in the consultation.

“It’s important for us to look at the impressions from people and think about these issues they have raised and whether there are any changes that can be made to the route.

Warrington would see some parts in the east of the town affected by a link from Warburton to Lowton, cutting through Rixton, Glazebrook and Culcheth.

And a large viaduct would be needed to carry the lines across the Manchester Ship Canal, which protestors say split some villages in two.

But the plans have gained widespread opposition from residents in the affected areas.

Frank Allen, from Culcheth And District Railway Action Group, helped lead an outdoor tent by the sports club including ‘Ellie’ the elephant on show to highlight the exhibition.

He said: “We were quite keen that people should go and see what is in there.

“We have been running an information campaign ourselves leafleting people to get them to go and see the consultation themselves.

“But we also want to tell them our side of the story.

“We are suggesting they could link up the high speed line at Crewe and put them on the West Coast Mainline there. They can upgrade that section. It will be cheaper and easy to convert and It will be better for Warrington because trains can stop in Warrington.

“The line comes past Culcheth and straight through the Taylor Business Park which will see 500 jobs go. It will be hard for the Culcheth village while it’s being built because they will need to build more bridges nearby.

“We have been running an exit poll and the vast majority of people are saying they do not want HS2 at all. We have had one or two say they would be in favour.”