HS2 in Trafford

Back to top

Background

HS2 (High Speed Rail 2) is a massive infrastructure project intended to create high-speed rail links between London and major cities in the Midlands and North of England including Manchester.

It will cost tens of billions of pounds and is aimed at cutting journey times and increasing capacity on the rail network between key cities such as Manchester, Birmingham and London. It's hoped HS2 will create jobs and grow the UK economy outside London.

Trafford Council supports in principle the building of HS2 but does have some concerns about the impact part of the route could potentially have on residents and business and has made its views known at the appropriate times.

Trafford Council is working with HS2 Ltd and the Government to ensure that HS2 is delivered in a way which maximises the expected benefits for Trafford. More details about the planned route and how it will affect Trafford are outlined below.

Back to top

Timeline/Public Consultations

The hybrid Bill for HS2 Phase 2b (Crewe to Manchester) was laid before Parliament on 24 January 2022.

The Parliamentary Bill process is anticipated to take 2-3 years. If the hybrid Bill is passed by Parliament, work will be able to begin on constructing HS2 in Trafford.

The exact timescale for this will not be known until after approval is given, but it is anticipated that the Phase 2b Western Leg will be up and running between 2035 and 2040.

The consultation on the associated Crewe - Manchester Environmental Statement and associated Equality Impact Assessment closed on 31 March 2022.

The Environmental Statement includes details on the potential impacts HS2 could have on the local area and the mitigation measures HS2 Ltd propose to put in place. The Equality Impact Assessment reports on how the planned new railway could have a different impact on people with protected characteristics like disability or gender.

The Council reviewed and responded to both documents, copies of which are available below:

If you wish to find out more about these public consultations and view the outcomes (Independent Assessor’s Report) visit:

On 20 June 2022, the hybrid Bill had its second reading in Parliament and the petitioning period was launched the following day (21 June). The petitioning period closed on 4 August 2022.

During this period, individuals or organisations directly impacted by the scheme were able to petition (object to) the Bill to seek changes to the scheme and/or additional mitigations for its impacts.

In March 2022, Trafford Council passed a resolution to petition against the Phase 2b hybrid Bill. On 04 August 2022, Trafford Council submitted its petition, a copy of which can be found below:

On 6 June 2022 the Government announced its intention to remove the Golborne Link from the Bill. The Government intends to maintain safeguarding along the Golborne Link while alternatives are considered.

On 6 July 2022, a set of proposed changes, known as an Additional Provision, was introduced to Parliament.

The Additional Provision to the Crewe – Manchester Bill (AP1) was accompanied by an Environmental Statement (AP1 ES) and a Supplementary Environmental Statement 1 (SES1), which between them set out the expected environmental impacts resulting from the changes proposed.

A public consultation was held on these documents and closed on 1 September 2022. If you wish to find out more about these public consultations and view the outcomes (Independent Assessor’s Report) check out the below:

The petitioning periods for the Crewe - Manchester Phase 2b hybrid Bill and the Additional Provision (AP1) to it are now closed.

Back to top

What the Council is doing now

Following the petition, the Council is liaising with HS2 Ltd and the Government to ensure that HS2 is delivered in a way which maximises the expected benefits for Trafford, Greater Manchester and the North, including integrating HS2 with proposals for significant new development near Timperley, creating a connected a world class connected multi-modal transport hub at the Airport Station, as well as improved rail links across the cities of the North, known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).

There are several issues with the proposals included in the Phase 2b hybrid Bill that we believe fall short of doing these things, and we are continuing to lobby Government about these matters. The Council will also be seeking to ensure that HS2 Ltd minimise and mitigate any adverse impacts on local communities, businesses and the environment during the construction of HS2 in Trafford.

Check out the latest information on HS2.

Back to top

Contact details for comments and queries

HS2 is what is known as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and Trafford Council like residents and businesses is a consultee to the HS2 process. All comments and queries regarding HS2 must therefore be directed to HS2 Ltd.

Here are the contact details for HS2 Ltd.

Consequently, Trafford Council cannot pass on comments, questions, representations or petitions to HS2 Ltd. on your behalf. These must be sent directly to HS2 Ltd. and/or the Government via the appropriate methods and contact details stated.

Check out the latest information on HS2.

Back to top

HS2 explained and what it means for Trafford

The Government has proposed a high-speed rail line (HS2), connecting:

  • London to the West Midlands (Phase 1)
  • West Midlands to Crewe (Phase 2a)
  • Crewe to Greater Manchester (Phase 2b)

Two new high speed rail lines were originally proposed under Phase 2b: The two routes through Trafford are known as the ‘Manchester Spur’ to Manchester Piccadilly via a new high-speed station near Manchester Airport and the ‘Golborne Link’, which would create a new line to Wigan.

The ‘Golborne Link’, which would have cut through communities in the North West of borough such as Warburton, has been removed from the Bill, however the land required for the route has been be safeguarded for alternative options in the future.

A short section of high-speed track is proposed to be constructed the south-east of the borough adjacent to the M56 and Hale/ Hale Barns, arriving at a new station near Manchester Airport before entering a tunnel under Manchester and terminating at Manchester Piccadilly.

See the proposed routes, and use the route map to find the area(s) you are interested in.

These two sections of Phase 2b are known as ‘community areas’ MA04 Broomedge to Glazebrook (Golborne Link) and MA06 Hulseheath to Manchester Airport (Manchester Spur).

HS2 Ltd. have published a short guide for each of the ‘community areas’ which provide some useful information:

Back to top

Construction start date and train commencement

The Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) includes an indicative and high-level timetable for HS2 Phase 2b between Crewe and Manchester, indicating the following timescales:

  • Early to Mid-2020s – hybrid Bill Deposition and Royal Assent
  • Mid 2020s to Late 2030s/ early 2040s – Construction of routes and stations
  • Early to Mid-2040s – Completion of Phase 2b Construction and Trains Running
Back to top

Trafford Council’s position

The Council is supportive of HS2, and believes it reinforces Trafford and Greater Manchester as the best place to live and do business in the city region, providing that the right level of regional and local connectivity is provided through a new Manchester Airport Station transport hub.

The investment in a high-speed rail connection will confirm Trafford and Greater Manchester as the most connected city region in the UK and will support existing businesses, inward investment, and job creation in and around the borough.

Whilst the Golborne Link, which caused the greatest concern to Trafford Council, has been removed from the project for now, the Council still has concerns in relation to the Airport Station and the impacts the new line, station and construction phases will have on local residents, businesses and the environment.

The Council have therefore petitioned (objected to) the Bill and are in negotiations with HS2 Ltd and Government to ensure the impacts of the long construction period on communities, businesses and the environment are minimised and mitigated as far as possible.

Back to top

Trafford Council’s role

HS2 is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and Trafford Council like residents and businesses is a consultee to the HS2 process.

As the local authority, the Council is directly affected by the HS2 proposals and as such, formally responded to the Environmental Statement that accompanied the hybrid Bill deposition. The Council (along with partners) have petitioned (objected to) the hybrid Bill to ensure that the impacts of construction on communities, businesses and the environment are minimised and mitigated as far as possible.

If the hybrid Bill receives Royal Assent and passes into law, the Council will be required to process and determine detailed planning and highway applications among other affected statutory functions.

Back to top

Maximising the benefits and minimising the impacts of HS2

The Council has established an internal cross-departmental team from across all relevant services and directorates to evaluate and respond to the various Trafford specific matters that may arise because of HS2 at all stages.

Trafford Council is also working closely and collaborating with several key partners and neighbouring authorities to ensure a consistent approach and response wherever possible, as well as sharing appropriate resources. Key partners and neighbouring authorities include Manchester City Council, Wigan Council, Cheshire East, Warrington Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, Manchester Airport Group, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and other statutory bodies.

Back to top

How the community and those directly affected will be consulted and informed

It is the responsibility of HS2 Ltd. to carry out appropriate consultation with communities and directly affected persons. Information pertaining to HS2 Ltd. community engagement can be found on the HS2 website.

Whilst HS2 Ltd. is responsible for community engagement and consultation, the Council recognises that communities will naturally be interested to know what is happening and how they can be notified and/or get involved. The Council will therefore maintain and update this webpage as regularly as possible providing links to relevant documentation on the HS2 website.

HS2 Ltd. has a webpage dedicated to property owners.

Additionally, HS2 Ltd. have published a short guide for each of the ‘community areas’ which provide some useful information:

Where practicable, the Council will use a range of mechanisms, such as the local press, libraries, and social media etc. to raise awareness of key updates and/or developments.

Back to top

The next steps

HS2 Phase 2b, will be delivered by an Act of Parliament, known as a hybrid Bill. This Bill (essentially the planning application for HS2) will need to go through a number of stages in both the House of Commons and House of Lords, before receiving Royal Assent and being passed into law.

The Phase 2b Western Leg Hybrid Bill process document is available to download on the HS2 website.

Back to top

More information and who to contact

The latest information on HS2 can be found on the HS2 Ltd. website. You can also view the HS2 Bill and associated Environmental Statement documents electronically at Partington, Hale and Altrincham libraries and at the Town Hall. The information is stored on USB memory sticks which are for use within the library/ town hall only and cannot be taken away.

HS2 is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and Trafford Council like residents and businesses is a consultee to the HS2 process. All comments and queries regarding HS2 must therefore be directed to HS2 Ltd.

Trafford Council cannot pass on comments, questions, representations, or petitions to HS2 Ltd. on your behalf. These must be sent directly to HS2 Ltd. and/or the Government via the appropriate methods and contact details stated.