Transport secretary Grant Shapps has cast doubts over the future of a key – but controversial – HS2 link running through Wigan borough.
The Golborne spur, which would run through the town and the neighbouring village of Lowton, has encountered significant opposition from residents, councillors and MPs.
If approved, the 12.1km section will leave the main high-speed route from Crewe to Manchester before rejoining the West Coast Main Line south of Wigan.
But Mr Shapps has suggested that the plans could be reworked within the year amid concerns over its value for money.
He said: “The Golborne Spur is currently projected to cost between two and three billion, but delivers very little for that sum.
“The writing is on the wall as far as the future of the Golborne Spur is concerned. We expect to make the final decision on it in months, not years.”
Mr Shapps was responding to questions from James Grundy and Andy Carter, Conservative MPs for Leigh and Warrington South respectively.
While both politicians were elected to Westminster last December, Mr Grundy has long opposed the Golborne spur on behalf of Lowton residents he still represents as councillor.
Welcoming the secretary of state’s response as a ‘strong indication’ of the link being cancelled, Mr Grundy said: “I have been campaigning against this poorly conceived idea for over seven years now.
“It will come as a great relief to thousands of my constituents in both Golborne and Lowton, including members of my own family, that this saga is finally coming to a close, and people can again have certainty when it comes to investing in their homes and local businesses.”
Mr Grundy has now called on Wigan council to withdraw its support for the spur. The Labour-run authority has backed HS2 – including the Golborne spur – from the outset.
He also echoed the campaign of his Labour parliamentary predecessor, Jo Platt, for a bigger push to reopen stations at Golborne and Kenyon Junction to reconnect Leigh to the national rail network.
Coun David Molyneux, leader of Wigan council, welcomed prime minister Boris Johnson’s support of HS2 and urged its construction ‘as soon as possible’ to benefit Wigan and the whole of the North West.
He added: “Wigan is one of only a small number of places nationally that will have a high speed rail station and HS2’s arrival here would position us as a transport hub for rail travellers from Lancashire, Merseyside and Cheshire as well as Wigan.
“Significantly improved connections for the north will also go a long way to rebalancing our country’s economy.”
