Government looking for new connections to Scotland after HS2 Golborne Link scrapped

The government has confirmed the HS2 Golborne Link, which would connect trains to Scotland, will be scrapped, after concerns were raised as to how this would impact local areas.

The high-speed rail link connecting HS2 to the West Coast Mainline was unpopular amongst residents from areas in Warrington, including Culceth, Glazebury, Croft and Lymm, and wasn’t well received by local councillors.

An independent Union Connectivity Review undertaken by Sir Peter Hendy found that the Golborne Link did not resolve all the current capacity constraints on the West Coast Main Line between Crewe and Preston.

The Department for Transport has announced its intention to consider other options which are just as effective at shortening journey times.

HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said: ‘HS2 is a once-in-a-lifetime project that will transform travel across the entire UK as we know it and serve millions of people for hundreds of years to come and it’s absolutely vital that we get this right from the outset.  

‘Removing this link is about ensuring that we’ve left no stone unturned when it comes to working with our Scottish counterparts to find a solution that will best serve the great people of Scotland.’

The news has been received well by Warrington councillors who were worried about how the rail link would affect their constituents.

Leader of Warrington East Council, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: ‘We have had concerns about the Golborne Link since the idea was first proposed, and I’m therefore really pleased to see that it is now no longer part of High Speed Rail plans.

‘We recognise the huge benefits HS2 will bring to the north of the country, providing Warrington with better access and transport links. The Golborne Link, however, has always been a deal-breaker for us. It would have had profound and unnecessary impacts on many of our communities with no discernible benefits for our town.

‘We have fought hard for our communities on this issue and have consistently pressed the case for the Golborne Link to be removed. I am very pleased that the government has listened to our representations and that it no longer features in their plans.’

The government has now said it’s committed to working with the Scottish Government and other devolved authorities to find alternatives to the Golborne Link and to put in place recommendations from the Union Connectivity Review.

Photo by László Glatz