A ROADSHOW gave residents the chance to ask questions about the route and consequences of HS2.

Experts from HS2 Limited and Network Rail were on hand at Leigh Sports Village on Friday to listen to concerns and answer any queries visitors may have about the £50 billion proposal that will cut through Lowton and the surrounding countryside.

Interactive demonstrations - such as sound booths that imagined the noise of a passing high speed train would make - were available to help residents further understand the impact HS2 will have.

Director of phase two for HS2 Ltd Ian Jordan said: “It has been going really well. There are lots of people here and a lot of people who are very interested in HS2 and can see the attraction in terms of the jobs it will create during the construction and at the depot.

“There are also people here whose homes will be very close to the line and they are concerned about the impact on their properties of both noise and the environmental impact.

“We are listening to people's concerns because this isn’t a confirmed route yet and we want to understand them, reach some decisions and maybe make some changes, although we can’t make any promises.”

Information was available for those curious about what compensation would be available should their house be directly affected and how the depot - that will be built to the north west of Leigh - would work and what it would look like.

The consultation closes on January 31, after which the responses will be analysed by an independent company before the Secretary of State will be advised on how to proceed.

To share your thoughts, visit www.hs2.org.uk/route-consultation.