Andy Burnham says Crewe 'completely cut out' by government in visit to town today
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, says Crewe has been "badly wronged" by government following the cancellation of HS2, in a visit to the town.
Mr Burnham joined northern leaders to give a speech at Crewe Market Hall, Earle Street, on the morning of Monday 4 March.
The former Labour MP, 54, was joined by leader of Cheshire East Council, Sam Corcoran, and metro mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotherham.
Recently, Mr Burnham suggested a new segregated rail line should be constructed between the Midlands and North West of England, stopping via Crewe.
Following the cancellation of HS2 last October, Mr Burnham believes Crewe has been forgotten by government, with urgent transport levelling up needed.
Mr Burnham told Nub News: "I think a new rail line should be constructed between the Midlands and the North West.
"The West Coast Main Line is full. The M6 is full. They can't be left to take the strain for the rest of this century.
"We need extra capacity and that was always the argument for HS2.
"I have accepted there won't be a HS2 anymore, but that doesn't mean there can't be a son or daughter of HS2, which is a new line via Crewe.
"That is why I am here. Crewe must not be missed out of this conversation."
Mr Burnham, stands by Cheshire East Council's appeal for funds from government, after it spent £11m preparing HS2 in Crewe.
He said: "It would be easy for Steve [Rotherham] and I to just do our own thing, but we support Sam [Corcoran] on what he is trying to do here in Cheshire East.
"Cheshire East are big partners of Greater Manchester and although there isn't a devolution deal here yet, which we would like to see, we are still working with Sam and his colleagues on the council as if there was one.
"We are building a vision for what is right for the North West more broadly.
"Crewe was as badly, if not more badly wronged by the HS2 decision than Greater Manchester. It was completely cut out and that's just not right.
"No government should do that to a proud town like this."
The former secretary of state for health under Gordon Brown's cabinet, believes a new line could be considerably cheaper than HS2, if planned properly.
Mr Burnham added: "People got so wrapped up in the speed side of things with HS2 and that built in some costs.
"The high speeds would have had to have more vents along the way and it should have been started in the north.
"There are both ways where HS2 went wrong. There are lots of big learnings for the country.
"I think it is perfectly possible to come up with a line that is a lower cost option and still has a very ambitious vision for Crewe.
"We need to work quickly to bring forward a plan to pitch to the new government.
"If we leave the North West with the M6 in its current format and the West Coast Main Line, we will be damaging its prospects for growth.
"We have to present a new vision to the next government. We are going to get this work back from our working group this month.
"I think we need to use that to create an ask that's right for the North West and Crewe and be ready to pitch that to the incoming government."
READ MORE: Crewe park café to remain open despite operators entering administration.
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