THE MP for Weaver Vale is keen to make sure the north does not get left behind following the Government’s decision to review HS2.

The Government announced last Wednesday that an independent review into the proposed high-speed railway will be conducted by retired engineer Douglas Oakervee, the former chairman of HS2 Ltd, to establish ‘whether and how we proceed’ with it.

Mike Amesbury, Labour MP for Weaver Vale, said: “My focus is to ensure that this government is challenged to put real investment into our railways and rebalance the economy towards the north.

“HS2 and Crossrail for the North [Northern Powerhouse Rail] are interdependent under current plans.

“I do have real concerns over escalating costs while my constituents are subject to overcrowded trains, delays, cancellations and shabby infrastructure.”

The review – which will consider ways the cost of HS2 can be reduced, including potentially scrapping part of the route – has been met with a mixed reaction in Cheshire.

While MPs and campaigners who had been critical of the £56 billion railway have welcomed the move, business leaders, Cheshire East Council and politicians in Crewe are keen to see HS2 go ahead –with the south Cheshire town set to benefit from a HS2 hub with up to seven trains an hour.

Philip Cox, chief executive of the Cheshire and Warrington local enterprise partnership, said that there would always be periodic reviews of a project the size of HS2 – but insisted the case for it must be made clear.

“Bringing HS2 to Crewe is absolutely vital to the economic growth of Cheshire and Warrington,” he said.

“Whilst HS2 brings improved connectivity and reduced journey times, it will also help realise powerful growth opportunities in Crewe, Cheshire and Warrington, and across the Northern Powerhouse.

“Spreading the benefits of HS2 to places not on the new line is also important, and Crewe’s role as an important railway junction makes it a crucial part of the project.”

Meanwhile, environmental campaigners believe the HS2 review is the perfect time to make railway kinder to the planet.

Supporters from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) were among the thousands who called on Government to declare a climate emergency earlier this year – urging MPs to commit to a ‘net-zero’ carbon target.

Andrew Needham, of CPRE Cheshire, said: “Transport is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, accounting for 28 per cent of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2017, and the only sector in which emissions have increased since 1990.

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“A binding national single carbon budget and reduction pathway for the whole transport sector should be developed, with all transport programmes planned and funded to fit the carbon pathway.”

He added that there is also a ‘big issue’ about how the electricity for HS2 would be generated – with up to 800MW estimated to be needed for the complete route.