The transport secretary's announcement that HS2 could be brought to Crewe ahead of schedule has been welcomed by Cheshire East Council, with leader Michael Jones describing it as "fantastic news and a real game changer".
During a speech in Leeds, Patrick McLoughlin called for the high-speed rail line to be fast-tracked and indicated again that Crewe could become the first northern hub for HS2 before the service continues onto Manchester.
He said: "I want to see if we can bring HS2 to Crewe faster than planned, subject to further analysis and a decision on the preferred route.
"I'm determined to deliver the benefits to the north as fast as possible. So I'll prepare a dedicated hybrid bill in this parliament."
Jones said: "This is fantastic news and a real game changer – not just for Crewe and Cheshire East, but for Stoke, North Staffordshire and the whole region.
"The benefits to Crewe and the surrounding area would be massive in terms of jobs and the economy – but we want to share the growth and benefits with our neighbours.
"This council has put in an enormous amount of work over the past two years to secure HS2 for Crewe and the prospect of an early hybrid bill, which could confirm Crewe as the northern hub, is something we look forward to with great anticipation.
"We want the right solution for Crewe that would enable the economic benefits to be enjoyed across the whole sub-region, stretching along a corridor from North Staffordshire to North Wales and Merseyside.
"The hub station in Crewe would act as the gateway to the Northern Powerhouse and HS2 promises to bring a second railway revolution to the town and utterly transform its economic prospects.
"Now we need to get on with working together with our neighbouring authorities to secure the benefits for all."
In October 2014, HS2 chairman Sir David Higgins named Crewe as the preferred location for a 'super-hub' north of Birmingham. He also indicated that it was hoped the northern section of the project would be delivered five to six years sooner than the expected date of 2032.
Meanwhile, chancellor George Osborne dropped a hint in his autumn statement that the government wanted to see this happen sooner than initially planned. He said the government was analysing the possibility of accelerating construction from north of Birmingham to Crewe.
The entire project is estimated to be worth some £3.5bn a year to the South Cheshire sub-regional area economy. In addition, 64,000 jobs are forecast to be created if the high-speed project arrives at Crewe, where there will be a boost to demand for homes and skilled workers.