WARRINGTON North’s MP has received confirmation from the transport secretary that her questions on the viability of the HS2 spur through the town were valid during a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday.

During her contribution to an adjournment debate, Helen Jones raised concerns over the plans which were recognised by MP Robert Goodwill.

She claimed the Hoo Green to Bamfurlong spur ‘would be the whitest of white elephants’ and development of it would devastate Culcheth and Hollins Green by inflicting serious environmental damage.

In her speech Mrs Jones said that the case for the spur had been seriously undermined with costs rising and the acceptance of a main transport hub at Crewe making it redundant.

The MP also highlighted the economic damage which would be caused to the villages affected. 

She added: “Warrington will not benefit from this part of the line - we have the pain, but we do not have the gain.

“In fact, we would probably end up with a worse service from Warrington than we have now, given that we already have one train an hour to London and one train an hour to Glasgow.

“I say to the minister that the case does not stack up - the Government has not looked at the whole economic benefit, and they need to save £1 billion of public money by abandoning the spur.”

In his reply Mr Goodwill said:  “The honourable member for Warrington North raised a valid question about the phase 2 spur.

“We are currently reviewing and assessing those decisions.”

Following the debate Mrs Jones was ‘encouraged’ her points had been recognised and now hopes ‘sense will prevail’ to abandon the spur once the review has been completed.