It was scrapped one year ago, but it appears HS2 will be coming to Cheshire East Council after all.

Macclesfield taxpayer money to prepare the fellow borough town of Crewe may not have gone to waste after all.

That is because the UK Government is reportedly set to announce original HS2 plans will be revived running from London Euston to Crewe, according to LBC.

The route was scheduled to connect London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, but the northern leg of phase two was scrapped by Rishi Sunak's Conservative government in October 2023.

Phase 2a was to connect the West Midlands to Crewe, with 'Phase 2b' from Crewe to Manchester.

Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to reverse the cancellation of HS2 'Phase 2a', as the route already has parliamentary approval from London Euston to Crewe (Nub News).

Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to reverse the cancellation of 'Phase 2a', as the route already has parliamentary approval.

This will mean the high speed line will run from the capital beyond Birmingham to Crewe after all.

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Macclesfield rail users can currently get to Crewe via Stockport, via Stoke, or via Kidsgrove.

LBC has reported Downing Street and the Department for Transport have been making the case to the Treasury.

It is understood HS2 Ltd will not be overseeing the works, with the works instead being handed to a private sector consortium.

Insiders told LBC Mr Starmer held private discussions on HS2 at September's Labour Party conference, with the Labour government planning to make a formal announcement in the new year.

This HS2 development comes following Crewe and Nantwich MP, Connor Naismith's #ConnectCrewe campaign (Connor Naismith MP).

This HS2 development comes following Crewe and Nantwich MP, Connor Naismith's #ConnectCrewe campaign.

Mr Naismith has been highlighting Crewe's vital role in the UK's transport infrastructure and the economic opportunity associated with including the town in any plans for a replacement line.

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Phase 2a to Crewe was estimated to cost around £3.72 billion at 2015 prices, around £5 billion today.

If the report's estimates are correct, this would imply a cost of up to £12 billion for the section, with a potential of £15 billion in revenue. 

A Department for Transport spokesperson told LBC: "Transport is an essential part of the Government's mission to rebuild Britain and grow our economy.

The HS2 northern leg was scrapped by Rishi Sunak's Conservative government in October 2023 (Ryan Parker).

"We are committed to improving rail connectivity across the North, working with local leaders to do so."

HS2 was originally announced by the then-Labour government back in 2009 and was approved by the Conservative-led coalition government in 2012.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Cheshire East Council was 'still trying to claw back HS2 cash', following the cancellation at last October's Conservative party conference in Manchester.

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