THE final route for HS2’s route has been announced.

The plans confirm the dissection of the Royal Cheshire Showgrounds in Cheshire.

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 Government has agreed changes to the approach to Manchester Piccadilly Station.

It has re-aligned the route of the high speed rail link away from West Gorton and instead further eastwards through Ardwick.

A report detailing the route decision said: "The preferred alignment into Manchester Piccadilly remains the most suitable option because:

• It reduces the flood risk and engineering complexity by moving the tunnel portal out.

of the Corn Brook floodplain and away from existing railway viaducts

• It allows the approach to Manchester Piccadilly Station to be straightened,

maximising operational capacity and reducing the impact on the structure of the

existing station.

• It avoids community impacts at West Gorton, including a cluster of residential.

demolitions, a major development site and a local primary school."

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.”

Nigel Foster, Strategy Director for Transport for the North, welcomed the announcement: “Today’s announcement is another step forward in ensuring the North will have the rail connectivity and capacity it needs – not just between the North and the South but across and within the North of England.

“Together, Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 Phase 2b will help mobilise the economy of the North by enabling people to move with much more ease between our great economic centres. The investment will also give confidence to the business community and those who want to live and work in the North by improving labour markets and creating more job opportunities."

Penny Gaines, chairman of Stop HS2 said; “More environmental destruction, more cost, but no new ideas - that's what HS2 Phase 2 b is.  While it has been presented to help transport in the north, HS2 is mainly about making it easier to get to London, as there are no east west links involved.  It will make no difference to journeys from Leeds to Manchester or Sheffield to Manchester.  And with no links to HS1 in the plans, it will not help with journeys from the north to continental Europe."