HS2 WILL arrive in Cheshire as Phase 2a gets royal approval

The move cements Phase 2a of the project into law and comes exactly one year after ministers gave the project the green light.

It means HS2 Ltd can now begin work on constructing the phase between Crewe and Birmingham, having already started work on the initial Birmingham to London phase.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Whatever your view of this project, HS2 is now a reality – heading north, creating jobs and building a brighter future for our country.

Grant Shapps. Image: PA

“This vital project is at the heart of the Government’s commitments to build back better from the pandemic, tackle the north-south divide and drive growth across the country.”

The stretch of HS2 which has received Royal Assent does not include any railway north of Crewe.

Mid Cheshire would be hit by the high-speed railway if Phase 2b is approved by Parliament and given Royal Assent, as this stretch would take the line from Crewe to Manchester.

Cllr Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, has welcomed the confirmation that HS2 will arrive in Crewe as a ‘hugely important milestone’.

He said: “HS2 is a strategically important project and will drive increased business confidence to invest in Crewe – creating opportunities to not only enhance the town, but also the wider borough through the jobs, services and improved opportunities it can provide.

Cllr Craig Browne

“We are committed to maximising the significant benefits the scheme will bring and it is more important than ever as we support our local economy to bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The Government says HS2 will create thousands of jobs – with 5,000 construction jobs expected on Phase 2a, in addition to 140 permanent roles at a maintenance base near Stone, in Staffordshire – on top of the 15,000 jobs already supported by the first phase of the project.

Rail leaders say new jobs will also be created if Phase 2b is given the green light in mid Cheshire – but the line will cause disruption and destruction to the countryside along the proposed route.

In January, CEC urged the Government to take another close look at what HS2’s environmental impact would be on mid Cheshire if Phase 2b gets the go-ahead.

Cllr Browne added: “We continue to seek to limit the disruption of the new railway line and we are actively seeking to secure the maximum level of mitigation from the scheme.”

Last autumn, HS2 unveiled plans to increase the railway’s footprint on mid Cheshire in Phase 2b, including a bigger depot in Wimboldsley and a doubling of the tracks in some areas to allow more high-speed services.