The announcement that the northern leg of HS2 has been scrapped has been met with a mixed reaction across Cheshire East – including from two of the borough's Conservative MPs.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan has always been supportive of the scheme which, he says, would have transformed the local economy bringing jobs, investment and opportunities.

Tatton MP Esther McVey has campaigned against it for years and has welcomed today's announcement by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that the route north of Birmingham won't be built.

Dr Mullan said: "I know not everyone supported HS2. Constituents regularly tell me they think the money could be better spent, but I personally am very disappointed by the decision to stop HS2 at Birmingham.

"Delivering the full route would have placed Crewe at the heart of the new network and I think it would have been transformative for our local economy bringing jobs, investment and opportunities.

"I am at least glad that the money saved is being reinvested in transport in the regions. I understand why a Prime Minister has to think about more than just what happens in one town when taking a decision like this, but Crewe and the area were due to be benefit so directly from HS2, that it is painful to see this decision."

He added: "We have our £22.9 million Crewe Town Deal, £14 million Future High Streets Fund, £5 million for Cheshire College and huge investment for the Leighton Hospital rebuild. However, HS2 would have brought huge amounts of regeneration investment.

"But the decision has been taken. I will now have to focus on getting as much as possible of this released investment directed to our area."

A more upbeat Esther McVey said: "The Prime Minister was right to stop HS2 at Birmingham. I have long said HS2 was an unnecessary vanity project, sucking the life out of transport links across the north. Instead, the Prime Minster has now made a massive commitment to transport in the north, investing, £36bn to the much-needed east to west connection – so linking all our great northern cities, as well as investing money into local transport too."

She added: "HS2 has become an embarrassment, an outdated infrastructure project along with spiralling costs and only Rishi Sunak has had the strength of character to say so. Since lockdown, more and more people are jumping on Zoom than a train for a meeting saving both time and money. Economically, environmentally, and technologically HS2 has had its day.

"HS2 was particularly devastating for Cheshire as it cut through swathes of countryside and destroyed local villages. Wilmslow too would have lost its link to London so increasing time and cost to local residents. "

Alsager Nub News has contacted Fiona Bruce MP for a comment.