ANXIOUS parents fear the proposed HS2 route could affect their children's education, claim Winsford town councillors.

Wimboldsley Primary School faces an uncertain future as the high-speed rail line from Crewe to Manchester will dissect Winsford and Middlewich, going straight through the village.

A 4km long rolling stock depot is also being built nearby.

The school, rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted after an inspection in 2017, wants to move, members were told at a meeting on Monday evening.

Cllr David Ellis told members said: "The school wants to re-locate but Cheshire West and Chester Council don't want to pay for it.

"Parents are worried about not being able to get children to school while construction is going on.

"This is causing problems for the school. They are unable to make any plans going forward due to not knowing how many kids will be going there. It is very worrying."

The school has received planning permission to build a temporary mobile classroom to cope with an increasing number of pupils, as opposed to a permanent structure, due to uncertainties with HS2.

MP Antoinette Sandbach is also worried. She said: "I remain deeply concerned at the likely impact HS2 will have on Wimboldsley Primary School."

Stephen Cunningham, a senior engagement advisor for HS2 gave councillors an update on the project during an open forum on Monday.

He said: "The school wants to move but nothing has been resolved yet. Discussions are taking place.

"We know there will be a big impact on that community because of the construction traffic on Middlewich Road and the rolling stock depot.

"It wouldn't be so serious that the school couldn't continue.

"The school has asked to relocate but that wouldn't be HS2's preferred option. We are hoping to mitigate against this happening."

Ground investigation work, including geophysical surveys, are being carried out during the next six weeks. Intrusive work will start in the autumn and continue until the end of the year.

HS2 plans to publish an environmental statement in summer 2020 and receive royal assent in 2023 for a 10-year building programme.

Mr Cunningham said: "We do recognise that children starting school in September will be in year 5 or 6 when construction starts. We know that parents will be concerned and the school might see numbers drop off.

"Hopefully we will be able to feed back more information in the next two to three months."

Plans for the rolling stock depot are still being finalised.

"The design is ongoing and has not been released yet," he said. "We hope consultation will be around the end of this year or early next year.

"We hope there will be trains travelling from Crewe to Manchester and going up through Warrington and Wigan in 2033."

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HS2 is also having talks with Leighton Hospital about the impact the route could have on health services.

Mr Cunningham added: "Later this month we will have a joint meeting with Cheshire East, Cheshire West, Leighton Hospital and mental health services. We are consulting with all blue light services in towns that are impacted."