THE final route for HS2’s route through Cheshire has been announced, with plans revealed today, Monday, confirming the dissection of the Royal Cheshire Showgrounds.

Ashley is also set to be impacted by the high speed railway – which aims to cut journey times between Manchester and London by almost half to 67 minutes – as it travels from Rostherne towards Manchester Airport.

The announcement of the Government’s preferred ‘phase 2b’ route, i.e. from Crewe to Manchester, also involves a rolling stock depot south of Middlewich at Wimboldsley.

The Royal Cheshire County Show has been staged at the Tabley site since 1990, and a route revision announced late in 2016 confirmed that it was in danger.

Tony Garnett, show chairman, said earlier this year: “We are deeply concerned to hear that the revised route of the HS2 is to cross our beautiful and peaceful showground.”

In a consultation on the phase 2b route revision, 2,049 responses were received. Of these, 17 mentioned Knutsford, two Pickmere, four Rostherne, one Tabley and two east Cheshire.

Fourteen responses referenced Ashley, which was initially and briefly considered as a location for a rolling stock depot.

In further developments today, the preferred route options confirmed Crewe as a ‘hub station’ location, expected to be operational by 2027.

David Higgins, Chairman of HS2 Ltd said: “Today we have taken a huge step forward in connecting 8 of our largest cities, freeing up space on our railways and building a catalyst for growth across the country.

“Once completed 30 million people will be served by HS2 across over 25 stations, helping to change the economic geography of the country, and bring prosperity to the midlands, the north, and beyond.”

A Government spokesman said: “The government remains on track to open the link from London to Birmingham in 2026, the route to Crewe in 2027 and the routes to the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Manchester in 2033.

“Preparatory work on phase one has already commenced, with major construction starting in 2018 to 2019.”

Cheshire East Council leader, Cllr Rachel Bailey, said the announcements acted as ‘further recognition of the overwhelming case for a HS2 hub station in Crewe’, while also reiterating CEC’s desire to see appropriate compensation for home and business owners along the route.

Transport secretary Chris Grayling MP said: “Britain’s new railway line will bring huge economic benefits across the country and help ensure this government delivers on its promise to spread wealth beyond London and the south-east.

“But as well as creating skilled jobs, apprenticeships and business opportunities, it will also mean real day-to-day improvements for people across the country.

“By building a whole new railway line for high-speed intercity connections, we will free up local services, meaning more comfort, more seats and more trains for passengers across the north and the midlands.

“We will now press ahead with building the line, while continuing to ensure affected communities get appropriate support and are treated with fairness, compassion and respect.”

For more information, search for HS2 phase 2b on gov.uk.