MP Faisal Rashid has requested a meeting with a transport minister following concerns over HS2’s Golborne link and its ‘flawed’ business case.

Concerns are mounting over the costs surrounding the project – with some calling for it to be scrapped.

Around 7,000 people put forward their views on the proposals during a recent three-month programme of consultation events.

In September, Warrington Borough Council confirmed it was working on ‘world class mitigation’ in case it fails to derail the controversial Golborne link.

Warrington South MP Mr Rashid has raised serious concerns over the planned spur between Warrington and Wigan, however, he says HS2 is vital for ‘unblocking’ the capacity constraints that are ‘undermining punctuality’.

The Labour politician has requested a meeting – at the earliest opportunity – with parliamentary under secretary of state for transport, Nusrat Ghani, to raise objections to the link.

He added: “Commuter and freight services are being squeezed off the network due to a lack of capacity on our north-south main lines.

“However, it is clear that the Department for Transport needs to get a grip on HS2’s costs.

“Locally, significant opposition has been raised with me by my constituents about the HS2 Golborne link and I share my constituents’ concerns.

“Under these proposals, HS2 services would also completely bypass the town, meaning that the significant economic benefits of HS2 will not be felt by the people of Warrington.

“We now know that the Government’s rationale for the Golborne link is based on a flawed business case, which would only save an estimated 10 minutes of journey time along the HS2 route.

“Despite this, it remains part of the project proposals and will be included in the phase 2b Hybrid Bill.”

But HS2 Ltd insists the high-speed railway – priced at £55.7 billion and due to be completed in 2033 – will deliver major benefits to the town.

A spokesman said: “It will improve rail journeys, create new jobs and drive economic growth.

“We are working with our colleagues at Transport for the North to build an integrated rail network to make the north much better connected and to free up capacity on the existing network.

“HS2 will be the new backbone of Britain’s railways that will transform journey times and give rail passengers on the existing network in the north thousands of extra seats every day.

“We are working with our supply chain to ensure we deliver on the budget we have been set by Government.”