CALLS are being made for the ‘totally unnecessary’ HS2 Golborne spur to be scrapped.

Labour parish councillors attended the HS2 Phase 2b Crewe to Manchester route update at Culcheth Sports Club on Friday to engage in information sharing and discussion with representatives of HS2.

The public were able to view information boards and maps, which could also be taken as hard copies.

Cllr Janet Seddon said: “The issue of the Golborne spur has blighted the area since it was proposed in 2013.

“The adverse effects of construction on the environment, business and the communities of Croft, Culcheth and Glazebury will not be mitigated by the carbon offsetting plans in place.”

Cllr Chris Smith says traffic increase due to construction vehicles and road closures will have serious detrimental impacts on families, businesses and wildlife in the area.

“The recent gains made in reducing heavy goods vehicles through the villages will be for nothing if this goes through,” he said.

Meanwhile, the three Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft Conservative borough councillors attended the public consultation hosted by HS2 at the Daten Club in Culcheth.

Cllr Wendy Maisey said: “I’ve opposed the Golborne spur from day one.

“It will have a devastating impact on our communities and rip through the villages.

“The wildlife and green belt up at Partridge Lakes will be decimated, we really do owe it to future generations to ensure this does not go ahead.

“We will continue to lobby the secretary of state and will push for it to be removed from the plan.

“I'm clear about HS2, while I would like to see it stopped altogether, as a minimum compromise the Golborne spur must be scrapped.”

Cllr Valerie Allen added: “HS2b, the Golborne spur, is totally unnecessary.”

Cllr Carol Benson says she is also against the spur as the 12.1 km section with its £3 billion price tag ‘gives no benefit’ to residents.