AN extra rail service from Crewe to the north is among new HS2 plans unveiled today.

The government body HS2 Ltd has launched a public consultation on proposed design changes to Phase 2b of HS2.

The proposals would see five to seven high speed trains an hour calling at Crewe Station which HS2 Ltd says would "facilitate connections" to the Northern Powerhouse Rail and "bring the vision of a Crewe Hub a step closer".

Expansion at Manchester Piccadilly and Airport stations and a new depot in Annandale with the creation of up to 100 jobs are among the plans aimed at providing better journeys between the North and Midlands.

The consultation will form a key part of the development of the Western Leg parliamentary bill.

It comes after recommendations from the Oakervee Review to deliver HS2 in smaller sections and consider how best to deliver the project alongside other schemes through the development of an Integrated Rail Plan.

HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said: "HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail are an integral part of this country's future rail network, vital for improving connections between our biggest cities and regions, boosting jobs and kickstarting economic growth as we build back better.

"This consultation will ensure passengers and business have their say in delivering a rail network that meets their needs, providing better journeys across the Midlands and the North as quickly as possible."

The outcome of the consultation will also inform the development of a hybrid bill for HS2's Western Leg before it's introduced in parliament in early 2022.

It follows extensive work by the Department for Transport, HS2 Ltd and Transport for the North to propose infrastructure designs.

This includes proposals to boost capacity in Manchester by doubling the number of platforms at that Airport station from two to four and increasing the number at Piccadilly from four to six.

At Crewe an extra northern service from Crewe could see five to seven HS2 trains per hour calling at the station.

Work on HS2 Phase One from London to Birmingham is already well underway at over 250 active sites with the expectation that over 22,000 jobs will be created through around £10 billion worth of contracts already announced, two thirds of which will go to small and medium sized enterprises.

Legislation for Phase 2a, from Birmingham to Crewe, is currently being considered by Parliament.