HS2 Crewe-Manchester Bill to Be Introduced to Parliament

The government will today (24 January) introduce the bill for HS2’s Phase 2b western leg (Crewe-Manchester) to parliament.

So far, Phase 2a sees the high-speed line running to Crewe. Once approved, HS2 will be able to continue onwards to Manchester, completing the western leg of the high-speed line. This will allow high-speed trains travelling between the North West and London to use a dedicated line that will cut journey times for passengers, while freeing up the existing network for regional and local services, hugely increasing their capacity.

HS2 train
HS2 train

As part of this phase of the high-speed line, there will be new stations at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport. There will also be a new junction near Crewe that will give Crewe the potential to be a hub station in mid-Cheshire capable of handling a greater number of services.

HS2 Ltd has said it is aiming to deliver a 10 percent net gain in biodiversity for replaceable habitats on the Crewe to Manchester stretch.

This part of the project is estimated to support around 17,500 direct jobs as well as thousands of additional jobs within the supply chain, such as at the rolling stock depots north of Crewe, Dumfries and Galloway.

Clare Hayward MBE, DL, Chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, said:

“Ensuring all of Cheshire and Warrington is properly connected to the rest of the North West and the country as a whole, and delivering an integrated sustainable transport solution, is vital in ensuring our continued economic growth and delivering on our net zero ambitions.

“High speed links to the airport, and Manchester beyond are a key part of this, providing easy access to good employment opportunities as well as ensuring our vital industries, including net zero, are easily accessible and properly joined up to important infrastructure.

“Crewe has a proud rail heritage and has long been seen as the gateway to the north and today’s announcement is an important step in it continuing to be so. I look forward to seeing the project progress and come to fruition, providing economic benefits to all our area and the people that live here.”

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