FIONA Bruce has expressed her ‘vigorous opposition’ to a £32billion high-speed railway through Cheshire.

The MP spoke out in the House of Commons during a debate on the High Speed 2 (HS2) line connecting London and Manchester, via Birmingham.

The track could run through Goostrey, Cranage and Holmes Chapel with no stops or links and there are fears existing services might become fewer and slower.

Mrs Bruce said: “The cost, some £32billion, is perceived by many of my constituents as an inordinate amount of money at a time of severe economic pressure for the questionable benefits they will gain, particularly the many who do not use train travel.

“Several transport pressure points in my constituency are of far greater concern to them and attention to those would immediately bring clear economic benefits to the area and the region.

“Notably, this would include action to protect the Holmes Chapel community from the excessive speed and volume of vehicles that they constantly endure.”

Mrs Bruce said that her constituents have raised concerns about the HS2 line.

She said: “I accept that the route of the extension from Birmingham to Manchester has not yet been specified.

“But I want to assure my constituents that if it runs through any part of my constituency, with the attendant environmental and other damage to farmland and communities, they can be assured of my vigorous opposition on their behalf.”