HS2 ‘concentrates on big cities at the neglect of towns’ according to Warrington North MP Helen Jones.

The Labour politician also questioned the need for the high speed rail route's Golborne spur, which runs through Hollins Green, Culcheth and Croft.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, she claimed the ‘devastation’ the train line will cause to the villages has not been properly considered.

Mrs Jones told secretary of state Chris Grayling: “The original justification for the Hoo Green to Bamfurlong spur was the siting of a stock depot at Golborne.

“The secretary of state has confirmed that that will be moved to Crewe and that he will develop the Crewe hub.

“The costs for that part of the line have been repeatedly questioned and the devastation it will cause to the two villages of Culcheth and Hollins Green in my constituency has not been taken into account in any economic assessment.”

She added: “Does he accept that this spur is now the whitest of white elephants and yet another example of the concentration of HS2 on big cities and the neglect of its effect on towns?”

Mr Grayling said: “No, I do not, because the Golborne link is an important part of ensuring good connectivity for Preston, Lancaster, Carlisle and Scotland.

“If we are to deliver better connectivity to Scotland, we need the Golborne link so that the trains can use that route to reduce journey times as much as possible.

“I understand the reluctance in parts of her constituency to have this piece of the line developed.

“We will obviously do the right thing by the people affected, but this is an important part of delivering connectivity to the northern part of the country that would not otherwise happen in the same way.”

The route was confirmed yesterday and government documents claim that moving the rolling stock depot from Golborne to Crewe means there will be a ‘lower environmental impact’ on the area.