TIME is running out for mid Cheshire residents to have their say on the latest proposals for HS2 in their area.

If approved by Parliament, Phase 2b will take the high-speed railway through mid Cheshire’s countryside on its way between Crewe and Manchester.

Recent amendments to the project include a bigger rolling stock depot at Wimboldsley, with additional tracks in some areas of mid Cheshire to support more services running from Crewe.

“Feedback from local communities plays an important role in shaping the final design of the railway,” said Leonie Dubois, head of consultation and engagement at HS2.

“We’ve made lots of changes to the existing proposals as a direct result of local feedback and I encourage people to continue sharing their thoughts with us.

“Ultimately, this will ensure that everyone benefits from a more reliable, better-connected, cleaner, greener transport network for years to come.”

HS2 Ltd says the changes will allow the railway to better integrate with the planned east-west high-speed railway, known as Northern Powerhouse Rail, while more new jobs could be created.

But opponents to the project are devastated by the bigger footprint the railway could now leave on the community.

Graham Dellow, of Mid Cheshire Against HS2, told the Guardian in October: “The depot is in the wrong place anyway – it should be nearer to Crewe – and then they have the audacity to make it even bigger.

“We could not afford this when it was £56 billion. It's now £106 billion when, after Covid, so many people are going to be working from home – particularly north of Crewe."

Cllr Mark Stocks, Conservative Cheshire West and Chester Council member for Shakerley, also hit out at the project last month – insisting the latest proposals ‘have left many residents heartbroken’.

The current consultation ends at 11.45pm on Friday, December 11.

To see the consultation documents and have your say click here.

What do you think? Email yourviews@guardiangrp.co.uk