'We need a new rail line with Crewe at its heart'

The mayor of Greater Manchester said Crewe was "let down" by the decision to axe HS2

The north west needs a new railway line and it needs one with Crewe at its heart, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said.

He spoke as he and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram attended an event in the Cheshire town to discuss transport and regeneration.

He said Crewe was "let down" after the HS2 high-speed rail line from the West Midlands to Manchester was scrapped.

Crewe was due to become a hub station for HS2, with its council investing millions in preparation.

Mr Burnham was speaking on an event in Crewe

Mr Burnham added Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside need to ‘stand together’ over transport links.

"Crewe was let down as badly as Manchester was in the HS2 decision," he said.

"Maybe even more so because we got the ability to plan an east/west link but Crewe got nothing."

"The West Coast Mainline in its current form cannot be left to take all of the strain, we need a new line that has Crewe at its heart," said Mr Burnham.

Mr Burnham and West Midlands mayor Andy Street have agreed to work together with private companies on an alternative to HS2.

Cheshire East Council's leader Sam Corcoran has been calling for compensation for Crewe

"We're starting to build some momentum with national government by having a united front, and obviously we’ve all collectively lost out big time with HS2 not coming north," Mr Rotheram said.

Cheshire East Council leader Sam Corcoran said having the two mayors visit the town was to "show that the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester stand united with Cheshire to say we want not just east/west links but north/south connectivity as well."

Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram attended the event in Crewe

Paul Colman, chief executive of the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, said he still wanted to see more detail of the alternative to HS2 proposed.

"And it’s clear to us as leaders both in the public and private sector to formulate a plan that we can get behind and do the best for the local community and the town of Crewe."