Cheshire business leaders launch renewed fight to bring HS2 to Crewe
It's after reports the government could be considering reviving part of the northern leg
Business leaders in Cheshire say they're stepping up efforts to convince the government to revive plans to run HS2 to Crewe.
It's after reports Number 10 are looking at bringing back part of the scrapped northern leg, meaning it could once again run beyond its current planned stretch from Old Oak Common on the outskirts of London to Birmingham
Paul Colman is the Chief Executive of South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He has 20 plus years of experience representing local business in the region. "We really do need to make sure we push government to make this happen really." he told Hits Radio News.
"We as a Chamber, and as the local authority, and others are all getting together to make sure we put a good argument forward for why a north south link is needed, and why it needs to connect through Crewe.
"It needs to happen"
Paul said: "HS2 had already received consent. It already had planning permission to build the line. It's probably better value to reinstate the plans for HS2 that existed that to start fresh again.
"It needs to connect through Crewe due to that 360 connectivity as well, North Wales, Staffordshire and Shropshire and other areas.
"We need to push it and tip it over the edge to make it happen. The economic benefits and the growth and all that could come from it is really important." said Paul.
The reports so far indicate that Phase 2a of the project, between London Euston and Crewe is being considered set to build.
A government spokesperson said: "As we set out in the King's Speech, the Government will not reverse the decision to cancel phase two of HS2.
"As you know, the project has been repeatedly delayed, costs have spiralled, the project as a whole has clearly been hugely mismanaged," he told reporters.
Not ruled out entirely
The spokesman added: "But the Government remains committed, as set out in the manifesto, to delivering better rail connectivity across the north and that is why we are reviewing the position we have inherited, both on HS2 and other major infrastructure projects.
"We will set out more detailed plans in due course."
The latest reports about the future of the high speed rail project come after Transport Secretary Louise Haigh indicated plans for the railway's southern terminus at London's Euston station would be brought back from the scrapheap.
Earlier this month she said it "would never have made sense" for that not to happen.
The Cabinet minister said an announcement on the project will be made "soon", and could happen around the time of the Budget on October 30.
In October last year, then-prime minister Rishi Sunak announced that extending HS2 from Old Oak Common, in the suburbs of west London, to Euston, near the centre of the capital, was reliant on private investment.
This was aimed at saving £6.5 billion of taxpayers' money.
First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.