Ground investigation remediation works are taking place on land near Crewe, as part of efforts to reverse preparatory work carried out for the cancelled HS2 rail project.

The works are being carried out on land just off Newcastle Road at Chorlton Bridge, alongside the West Coast Main Line.

HS2 Ltd has commissioned contractor, Balfour Beatty, to carry out the work, which allegedly includes removing borehole apparatus and addressing land transfers associated with the former rail scheme.

Senior communications manager at HS2 Ltd, Clive Green, told Nub News: "No, HS2 works are not restarting. Balfour Beatty were a 2a contractor.

"Before cancellation, the company was doing ground investigation, and it'll be doing remediation work now that 2a isn't happening."

The activity relates to HS2 Phase 2a, which was planned to extend the high-speed railway from the West Midlands to Crewe.

The Government announced the cancellation of Phase 2a in October 2023, alongside the cancellation of the western leg of Phase 2b, which would have extended the railway from Crewe towards Manchester.

Preparatory work had already taken place along parts of the proposed route before the cancellation, including ground investigations to assess the land.

Wybunbury councillor, Janet Clowes (Conservative), highlighted the activity after residents raised questions about what was happening at the Chorlton Bridge site.

On social media, she said she had spoken to a Balfour Beatty site manager, who confirmed the company had been commissioned by HS2 Ltd to carry out the remediation work.

The work is allegedly intended to reverse some of the preparations made for the cancelled Crewe scheme, rather than signal a return to construction.

READ MORE: Crewe residents invited to help shape town centre's future over free drinks.

Crewe Nub News, supported by Crewe-based family business, Swansway Motor Group, has launched the Crewe Prize Draw.

The Crewe Prize Draw sees one winner take home a cash prize every fortnight, with every ticket purchased helping raise vital funds for community-based causes in Crewe.

The next draw takes place on Thursday 22 October. Buy a ticket for just £2.