The introduction of the High-Speed Rail (Crewe to Manchester) Bill to Parliament has been welcomed by local authority leaders, but they say further developments are needed.

The bill is set to facilitate construction of the next phase of Britain’s new main line railway, HS2. Confirmed plans include a new junction north of Crewe station, previously called for by Growth Track 360, a public-private partnership which unites Cheshire West, the Wirral and North Wales authorities to improve transport connectivity.

The junction will mean high speed trains can switch easily between HS2 and the existing West Coast Main Line. Under current plans, trains from London will divide at Crewe, with one portion travelling to Warrington and Liverpool and the other to Lancaster.

Growth Track 360 have also pushed for direct high-speed trains to serve Chester and North Wales as part of the new plans. As a rail hub for a significant part of North West England and the whole of North Wales, Chester is one of the busiest stations in the region for passenger usage and a significant tourism destination in its own right.

The partnership argues that combining electrification of the Chester and North Wales main line with plans to complete HS2’s route to Crewe, would allow the introduction of direct, high-speed services throughout this area.

Electrification between Chester and Warrington could also transform connectivity with Manchester and Manchester Airport, as plans are already in place for the restoration of low-level platforms at Warrington Bank Quay as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail proposals.

Growth Track 360 Chair and Leader of Cheshire West & Chester Council, Councillor Louise Gittins, said: “In November, Sir Peter Hendy’s Union Connectivity Review carried out for the UK Government recognised North Wales and North West England as a highly integrated cross-border economy that will benefit from a a programme of transport improvements that will improve union connectivity.

“It’s time to join up the thinking, the planning and the financing of our railways so that electrification brings to West Cheshire, the City of Chester and the whole of North Wales the full benefit of the major investment in HS2 being made using taxpayers’ money to which all of our residents and businesses contribute.”