WARRINGTON Borough Council will present a 'technical case' against the HS2 Golborne link to the Department for Transport (DfT) due to its 'limited benefits'.

But the Government department, responsible for the nation's transport network, says the connection 'continues to be a key junction' of the planned railway line.

It comes as campaigners and politicians reaffirm concerns over the spur, which would run through Hollins Green and Culcheth.

And council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill confirmed the authority will 'continue to lobby the Government to change its position' on the inclusion of the link, while challenging some information that has been put forward.

He said: "The council's position on HS2 remains unchanged – it favours HS2 connecting London to Manchester via Birmingham, Crewe and Manchester Airport but remains firmly against the Golborne link.

"We do not believe that the link represents good value for money and its benefits to the rail network and services are limited versus its potential cost and the impact it will have on the eastern part of the borough.

"The only cost estimate ever produced for the Golborne link is £1.85 billion and HS2 Limited have not provided any update on this cost estimate.

"The link is only forecast to be used by three trains per hour in each direction, which is a very low level of usage of a very expensive piece of rail infrastructure.

"We believe that upgrading the West Coast Main Line north of Crewe, potentially all the way to Scotland, with the provision of a HS2 station in Warrington represents better value for money and will maximise the benefits of HS2 to north west England.

"We are in the process of making a technical case against it, with this work nearing completion.

"It will then be presented to the DfT and HS2 Limited in the near future.

"An update will be provided on the outcome of these discussions and a summary provided of the detailed case against the Golborne link."

But the DfT is showing no signs of dropping it from the route.

A spokeswoman said: "HS2 will be the backbone of our national rail network, helping to build a country fit for the future, boosting jobs and growth and improving vital links between some of our country's biggest cities.

"The Golborne connection continues to be a key junction which will enable HS2 to deliver better connections to Preston, Lancaster, Carlisle and Scotland, giving passengers quicker journeys on faster, more frequent trains.

"It will also allow services to bypass the congested Crewe-Weaver Junction section, improving reliability and passenger experience on the West Coast Main Line."