A group of Reform and independent Cheshire West and Chester councillors have joined forces to oppose a controversial 200km carbon dioxide pipeline, claiming the council's existing stance does not go far enough.

A majority of councillors at a meeting of Full Council recently backed a Conservative motion to oppose the Peak Cluster project, as well as write a letter to ministers raising concerns.

The planned pipeline is designed to capture greenhouse gases from four cement and lime producers in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

Its route would take it across parts Cheshire and Wirral, so it could be permanently stored in depleted offshore gas reservoirs under the Irish Sea.

But despite the vote being backed by a near-majority, some councillors claimed the motion was inadequate as it objected to the pipeline 'in its current form' rather than outright.

A group have now written their own letter to Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The group is made up of Reform councillors Mandy Clare, Mark Williams and Graham Heatley, as well as independent councillors Elizabeth MacGlashan, Gill Watson, Martin Beveridge and Simon Boone.

Their letter states: "We believe there is not only insufficient information to assure us regarding safety risks, environmental impacts, threats to biodiversity, loss of high-quality agricultural land, construction disruption and long-term legacy issues, we also believe there are significant elements of risk and disruption posed to borough residents that cannot be fully mitigated against, regardless of any further assurances that may be offered by developers or by government as part of the ongoing decision-making process."

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The letter also calls for a meeting with Government officials.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Cllr Clare said in relation to the council's previous vote: "By again merely objecting to the project 'in its current form' – this just isn't good enough in our view."

She claims the project would introduce 'profound risks to human life and health'.

She added: "We believe this proposed project is absolutely unfair to all affected residents along the pipeline route, who would have to live not just with the upheaval of excavation and installation, but also with the worry and fear."

David Parkin, CEO of Peak Cluster said: "We recognise that some councillors and residents have raised concerns about the proposed pipeline and it's important that all views are heard and taken seriously."

He added: "These CO₂ pipelines are a well-established technology used safely around the world, and any proposal in the UK would be subject to rigorous, independent safety and environmental regulation.

"Detailed assessments and planning processes are designed to ensure that communities, wildlife and local environments are protected."