WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones and Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft councillors Chris Vobe and Matt Smith have criticised the Government for delaying the announcement on the HS2 route for a further year.

Mrs Jones has described the news as 'disappointing' after hearing 'optimistic noises coming from government over the past year about changing the route'.

She said: "It is very disappointing to read the Secretary of State’s Command Paper which suggests he is minded to keep the Golborne spur but won’t announce any decision until Autumn 2016.

“The decision rests firmly with the Conservative government, who when the Higgins Report was published promised an announcement by mid 2015.

“This was put back until October 2015 and then it was hinted that it would be December 2015.

"Now we have to wait another 10 months which is simply adding more misery to those suffering from planning blight.

“Whatever his decision the Secretary of State needs to make it quickly rather than stringing the process out."

In a joint statement, Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft councillors Chris Vobe and Matt Smith said it was 'completely inconsiderate to local people to extend the blight they are suffering so far into next year'.

He said: “A very strong case has been made for why this part of HS2 Phase Two is unnecessary.

"The proposal has been a blight on properties within Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft for two years.

"Those people who have been unable to sell their houses during this time deserve an end to the ongoing uncertainty."