The preferred route for the second phase of the high-speed rail line HS2, including a leg from Crewe to Manchester, has been confirmed by the government this morning. HS2 is expected to create about 25,000 jobs during construction as well as 2,000 apprenticeships. It will also support growth in the wider economy, worth an additional 100,000 jobs.
The direct benefits of HS2 is designed to reach far beyond the towns and regions directly served by the newly built railway lines. As the full network is completed, new HS2 trains will continue up the East and West Coast Main Lines, serving areas including Stafford, Liverpool, Preston, Warrington, Wigan, Carlisle, Glasgow, York, Darlington, Durham, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
On the western leg, HS2 will continue north from Crewe to Manchester Airport and then continue on to Manchester city centre, where a new HS2 station will be built next to Manchester Piccadilly.
There will also be a connection to Liverpool and to the existing West Coast main line allowing HS2 services to continue north, serving stations to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
As one of seven refinements on which Department for Transport is consulting, it is proposed to move the approach to Manchester Piccadilly up to 370 metres eastwards with the northern tunnel portal in Ardwick, to avoid direct impacts on residential properties and a school at West Gorton. A consultation is also exploring moving the route in the Middlewich - Northwich area in Cheshire up to 800 metres westwards.
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