A Cheshire MP said he does not believe current plans to resurrect a high speed rail link are ‘safe or affordable’, as local mayors continue to push for a replacement for HS2.

Metro mayors in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands have revealed plans for a new line connecting the two regions to replace the scrapped northern leg of HS2 - part of which had been set to pass through parts of Cheshire West between Wimboldsley and Lostock Gralam.

A private consortium has proposed the new 50-mile Midlands-Northwest Rail Link – running from Lichfield, north of Birmingham, to High Legh, south-east of Warrington – following a review commissioned by the mayors, who say the new link would be a 'fraction of the cost' of the HS2 northern leg, which was scrapped last year by then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The new plans are currently being considered by the Labour government.

Greater Manchester's Labour mayor Andy Burnham said a failure to replace the scrapped leg would become 'a huge barrier' to growth.

But Labour's Mid Cheshire MP Andrew Cooper has raised concerns.

He said: "We need to increase capacity on the West Coast Main Line to cope with increasing freight demand and to free up space for more local services.

"However, I do not believe the proposed route across the challenging geology of Mid Cheshire is safe or affordable."

It was recently revealed that Cheshire land which had been bought up for the scrapped section of HS2 will not be sold until the Government considers the new proposals.

Mr Cooper said he was seeking an end to the 'uncertainty' around land safeguarded for HS2, as well as the removal of all remaining uncapped boreholes, and a future for properties acquired and left vacant for months on end.

He added: "Any proposal for a new railway must look again carefully at the best route from Crewe to Manchester, and not repeat the mistakes of HS2."

The original plans for a leg to pass through the county had raised concerns in some quarters, with the action group Mid Cheshire Against HS2 being set up in response.

Cllr Karen Shore, deputy leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council and cabinet member for transport, said the authority had spoken with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester on the mayor’s proposals as part of it work with them on wider rail development in the Northwest.

She added: "Whilst we remain supportive of enhanced rail services, we will carefully consider the impacts of the proposals on residents and local businesses in Cheshire West and Chester as the plans are developed further."

The Department for Transport said: “Transport is an essential part of our mission to rebuild Britain, and we are absolutely committed to improving rail connectivity across the north and working with devolved leaders, as set out in the government's manifesto.

"We are currently reviewing the position we have inherited on HS2, and will set out next steps in due course."