Residents of Lostock Green face uncertainty as HS2’s impact lingers on their community
Lostock Green: Kathy O’Donoghue stands outside the local Methodist chapel, which has become a symbol of the ongoing HS2 debate. The village, blanketed in snow, looks beautiful, but the situation is anything but. HS2 has taken over 21 homes here, leaving many empty or in disrepair, and it’s changed the village’s close-knit vibe.
O’Donoghue, who works with the parish council, is frustrated. She wants those homes back in the community. But it seems like that’s not happening anytime soon. The villagers are fed up with the uncertainty.
After the government scrapped Phase 2 of HS2, there was a glimmer of hope. They thought the restrictions on planning and development would be lifted quickly. But that hasn’t happened. HS2 still controls what can be done with the properties, and many are just sitting there, abandoned.
Chris Wilson, a local resident, questions why HS2 is still buying properties if the project is on hold. He believes the political landscape has shifted, with new plans for a cheaper version of HS2 being discussed. It feels like the story isn’t over yet.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander hinted at new schemes in the Commons, suggesting that HS2 might still be in the works, albeit in a different form. This has left residents feeling even more anxious.
Graham Dellow from Mid Cheshire Against HS2 thinks the safeguarding measures will stick around until funding is found for these new projects. But he’s skeptical about that happening anytime soon, given the current economic climate.
O’Donoghue points out a locked-up farmhouse owned by HS2, which should be a family home. She feels like local leaders are making decisions without understanding the real impact on communities. She wants them to see the situation firsthand.
When asked about the ongoing issues, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Combined Authority expressed sympathy for the residents. They’re working with the government to resolve the situation, but it’s been dragging on for years.
In Wimboldsley, dairy farmer John Edge shares his struggles. He wanted to sell his property for retirement, but plans for HS2 sidings have scared off potential buyers. The uncertainty has left many homes in the area empty and deteriorating.
Edge could sell to HS2, but he worries about getting a fair offer. Many farmers have faced similar issues, feeling stuck in limbo. Back in Lostock Green, Dellow shows another empty house, highlighting the waste of resources while families are in need of homes.
MP Esther McVey acknowledges the nightmare HS2 has been for local communities. She believes the scrapping of Phase 2 should have allowed residents to reclaim their lives, but vested interests are complicating matters.
The real problem is the lack of clear decision-making. No one knows who is responsible for resolving the situation. The Department for Transport has promised to review HS2’s status, but residents are tired of waiting.
Wilson sums it up well: they’re stuck in a loop of uncertainty, and it feels like they could be talking about this for years without any resolution.
