CREWE Town Council have given the proposed HS2 hub station in the town their full backing following a visit from the Secretary of State.

Patrick McLoughlin, the Secretary of State for Transport, met with Crewe Town Council representatives and South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, July 9, to discuss the high-speed rail project.

The council confirmed its support for the early extension of HS2 to Crewe as well as the proposed HS2 hub station in Crewe.

Council representatives also put forward ideas as to how Crewe could play a key role in turning the north of England into a ‘Northern Powerhouse’.

Simon Yates, leader of Crewe Town Council, said: “We emphasised our support for a HS2 hub station in the town. Crewe has connections to the Midlands, Wales, Stoke, Liverpool, Manchester and points north as well as London.

“Trains can switch at Crewe between high speed lines and the existing rail system to offer many new high speed options – for example linking Birmingham with the trans-Pennine routes.

“This will help the regional economies to grow, but also makes Crewe a premier destination for business and should power up the regeneration of our town.”

Edward Timpson, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, also attended the meeting.

He said: "It was hugely helpful to have the chance to set out for the Secretary of State for Transport our shared view of the massive benefits to Crewe and the surrounding area of a fully integrated hub station as a key part of HS2.

"The fact that the Minister was willing to come to Crewe and hear our case face to face shouldn't be underestimated.”

Earlier this month Mr McLoughlin told the House of Commons that a separate Bill is being considered to deal with the link between Phase 1, Which ends near Lichfield, and Crewe.

This will mean an early start to the link to Crewe and an early start to the link to the north, well in advance of the rest of Phase 2, which will connect to Manchester and Leeds.