The Chancellor's Spending Review has announced investment across health, education, housing and transport on Wednesday 11 June, but fails to mention Cheshire within plans.

Rachel Reeves has confirmed ambitions for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), and a new Infrastructure Strategy with more detailed planned in the "coming weeks."

This announcement comes amid government's review of plans for a replacement HS2, which was scrapped past Birmingham in October 2023 under Rishi Sunak.

Since elected, Crewe and Nantwich MP, Connor Naismith, has made the case for a replacement HS2 in the form of a Midlands-North West Rail Link, with Crewe Station at its centre.

In April, the government reintroduced the High Speed Rail (Crewe to Manchester) Bill, so that it can be repurposed for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), a programme of strategic rail investments to improve connectivity between towns and cities in the north (Ryan Parker).

The Crewe MP pressed the government on the topic during Prime Minister's Questions last month.

Mr Naismith told Nub News: "My constituents often raise with me that they can't get to see a GP, they can't access employment or leisure opportunities due to poor transport links.

"They struggle with exorbitant housing costs, they never see police on their streets and they want to see secure borders.  

"On June 11, this government has responded to those priorities, with record investment in our NHS, a fourfold increase in local transport grants, an increase in the core spending power of policing, a record £39bn investment in social housing, a commitment to close asylum hotels by the end of the parliament and invest in the new Border Security Command. 

"The announcement on major transport infrastructure in our region is a step in the right direction, but I make no apology for putting my own constituency at the front and centre of my thoughts.

"Crewe Station has been at the heart of British rail for almost 200 years now. I am, of course, disappointed that we have not seen a firm commitment to the extension of high speed rail links north of Birmingham.  

Since elected, Crewe and Nantwich MP, Connor Naismith has made the case for a replacement HS2 in the form of a Midlands-North West Rail Link, with Crewe Station at its centre (Connor Naismith MP).

"This would be an immense benefit to my constituency, making Crewe a hub for inward investment, creating jobs and opportunities for my constituents, as well as delivering vital improvements to rail links in the North, improving passenger and freight paths, which could in turn get traffic off our roads."

At home, Mr Naismith has been garnering support for transport investment through his #ConnectCrewe campaign, platforming compelling evidence from local businesses and residents who rely on Crewe's rail network.  

In April, the government reintroduced the High Speed Rail (Crewe to Manchester) Bill, so that it can be repurposed for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), a programme of strategic rail investments to improve connectivity between towns and cities in the north.

The MP said: "The Chancellor has confirmed the government will be setting out plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) soon.

"NPR was always an integral part of the original HS2 plan and it's delivery supports my case for further investment between Birmingham and Manchester. 

Rachel Reeves has confirmed ambitions for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), and a new Infrastructure Strategy with more detailed planned in the 'coming weeks,' with it currently uncertain whether Crewe is included (Ryan Parker).

"If, for example, the Liverpool to Manchester railway line is delivered it would mean there is just a 60-mile gap between that project and phase one of HS2.

"I will continue to make the case in the coming weeks, working with fellow MPs and mayors, for these new developments to recognise my constituency as the transport hub it has historically been. This is vital investment needed to rebalance our economy."