Cheshire West and Chester Council is demanding answers from the government over future transport investment after the axing of the northern legs of HS2.

Rishi Sunak pulled the plug on the planned Birmingham-Manchester sections of the controversial high speed rail link earlier this week, pledging to instead re-invest the money in alternative schemes such as road projects.

Part of the Crewe-Manchester section was due to travel through Cheshire West, and more than £130k has already been invested by the authority in preliminary work - money it can not recoup.

But in his speech at the Conservative Party Conference, the Prime Minister said the 'facts had changed' around HS2, and said nearly £4bn would be reallocated to transport schemes in six northern city regions. 

Councillor Louise Gittins, leader of CWAC, said: “Our borough, along with the whole of the North West region has been relying on the promised investment in HS2 as a key part of levelling up.

“Our rail network is in desperate need of modernisation to allow for the growth in rail travel required for the critical shift from road to public transport to reduce carbon emissions.

"HS2 was going to increase capacity on our Victorian rail network and provide local people with the modern service they need and deserve. This decision  to cancel the northern leg of HS2 also means we are losing wider investment opportunities it would generate."

The council claims that across Cheshire and neighbouring Warrington, HS2 would have:

  • Added £2 billion a year to the local economy.
  • Created 27,000 new jobs.
  • Delivered six million sq ft of new commercial floor space and 25,000 new homes.

Other Cheshire politicians, such as Tatton Conservative MP Esther McVey have welcomed the Prime Minister's decision, claiming it was draining money which could otherwise be spent on more suitable transport projects.

But Cllr Gittins added: “Following his announcement, we now need much more detail, and clear answers from the Prime Minister about his plans for the still long-awaited investment in our rail networks.

“The council has fully supported the principles of HS2 while championing the concerns of communities and businesses in the areas of the borough that would have been directly and significantly adversely affected by HS2 construction and operation.

“We consider HS2 as an essential rail connection benefiting Cheshire and Warrington and the wider North West, with the potential to connect people to  employment, to education and leisure and increasing our links with other regions."