HIGH speed links from Crewe to Manchester Airport and Manchester are part of the the latest phase of HS2 to be unveiled to Parliament.

The Bill for the Crewe–Manchester extension of the HS2 network, known as Phase 2b Western Leg, was submitted to Parliament today (Monday).

It sets out legislation for the next phase of Britain's high-speed railway and seeks powers to construct and operate.

New stations and junctions are planned at Crewe as well as Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport with the Crewe development, the so-called Crewe Northern Connection, earmarked as a Hub station for the wider region.

Economic chiefs says this latest leg of HS2 will mean all of Cheshire, including Warrington, will be better connected to the North West Region.

Clare Hayward, of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "High speed links to the airport, and Manchester beyond are a key part of this, providing easy access to good employment opportunities as well as ensuring our vital industries, including net zero, are easily accessible and properly joined up to important infrastructure.

"Crewe has a proud rail heritage and has long been seen as the gateway to the north and today's announcement is an important step in it continuing to be so."

The CEO of HS2 Ltd, Mark Thurston, says HS2 is already supporting over 20,000 jobs as it marches north from London.

He said: "This Bill is a vote of confidence in HS2's ability to help towns and cities in the North realise their economic potential."

HS2 Ltd claims a new high-speed transport network for Britain will make zero carbon journeys more accessible for millions of people and help to take cars and lorries off the roads.

The latest 85km section will also provide the infrastructure required for Northern Powerhouse Rail and provision for new Metrolink routes, and, it is said, make Manchester "the best-connected city outside of London".

Up to three new train paths per hour could be released between Crewe and Manchester via Stockport, and the number of seats on services between Crewe, Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester Piccadilly could more than double during the evening peak as a result.

Damian Waters, Regional Director, CBI North West said: "Better transport links are crucial to growing the economy and we welcome the first step in bringing high speed rail to Manchester."

Around 17,500 jobs are forecast to support the HS2 leg's construction programme.

The announcement came along with confirmation of HS2's Minister Andrew Stephenson's decision to include plans for a rolling stock depot north of Crewe and a smaller depot in Dumfries and Galloway in the scheme proposals.

The depots would support the creation of hundreds of permanent skilled jobs.

Darren Caplan, CEO at the Rail Industry Association said: "It is encouraging to see the bill for HS2's Western Leg deposited in Parliament today. Rail businesses up and down the country stand ready to support this transformational project, supporting jobs and investment whilst delivering a new sustainable railway for the nation."

There was, however, far from unequivocal backing for HS2 when the Crewe to Manchester leg was confirmed by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps as part of the government's Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) last November, particularly when it became clear a HS2 eastern leg to Leeds had been shelved.

Today's announcement also coincided with a national day of protest orchestrated by protest group Stop HS2, including at Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester.

The leg of HS2 between Birmingham and Crewe (known as Phase 2a) was granted Royal Assent last February.