HS2 is the right thing to do for the country, the north west, greater Cheshire and the constituents of Weaver Vale.

So said Graham Evans, the MP for Weaver Vale, in a House of Commons debate this week on the proposed high speed rail link.

Mr Evans said: “If high speed rail is a white elephant – if it does not provide value for money and if the costs are escalating – it should not go ahead, as I do not agree with wasting taxpayers’ money, but I do not believe it is - it is a vital infrastructure project.

“It would be a mistake to look at High Speed 2 as a standalone project. Over the next five years, three times the amount that is spent on High Speed 2 will be spent on roads, railways and other forms of transport.

“It is really important to ensure High Speed 2 and the expenditure on other transport in the north-west complement each other so the connectivity High Speed 2 brings is enhanced throughout the north west.

“Trying to get from Northwich to Widnes and Runcorn is a nightmare. It is virtually impossible. Passengers trundle into Stockport, and then along over to Widnes and into Liverpool.

“Increasing capacity on rail networks will potentially remove 10 million vehicles from UK roads, significantly relieving the pressure on busy sections of roads, such as the M56 in my constituency.

“We have only to look at Lille, whose economy has flourished as a result of the connectivity of high-speed rail and the connection to the HS1 line, to see the potential High Speed 2 can bring to north west hubs such as Crewe.

“Around the station in Lille, investment has increased significantly, and the Euralille complex between the two Lille stations has emerged as the third largest business centre in France. That highlights the opportunity for Cheshire and its towns.

“Lille highlights how forward vision and connectivity together can be a radical catalyst for growth in any modern city.

“Connectivity between our cities is vital for the development of the northern powerhouse and the rebalancing of our economy.

“North west businesses will have better access to specialised services, a larger workforce and greater opportunities to offer their services to the capital.

“Likewise, shorter journey times are vital for business-related journeys, and connections with London alone could bring £4 billion of benefits to the north west.

“Over the next few decades, High Speed 2 will play a fundamental role in reshaping our economy. Seventy per cent of jobs created by High Speed 2 are forecast to be outside London.

“We must look at High Speed 2 not in isolation but as part of an overall strategy for improving connectivity throughout the north-west.”