Council chiefs say they are none the wiser over speculation that a section of HS2 due to pass through the borough could be scrapped.

The controversial high speed rail project was due to be built in three phases, with the first from London to the Midlands, the second from Midlands to Crewe and the third from Crewe to Manchester - the last of which was due to pass through areas of Cheshire West and Chester.

But speculation is rife that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt want to scrap all sections of the project north of Birmingham in an effort to save cash. 

A spokesperson for the High Speed Rail Group - which represents companies with interests in the sector - claimed doing so would be a 'disaster' for the North and the Midlands.

The Cheshire West section is proposed to head north from Walley's Green, passing Middlewich, before crossing the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. It would continue north towards Lostock Gralam before continuing into the Pickmere to Agden and Hulseheath area.

Councillor Karen Shore, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for environment, highways and transport, said: “The council supports HS2 in principle and we will continue to work diligently in preparation for the petitioning process, ensuring residents views are represented and mitigations are secured.

“Any announcement from the government remains speculation, we have not heard anything, this is a matter for the government, but clearly the council will respond as and when further information is announced.”

Originally planned as a route between London and the north, HS2 has been cut back repeatedly amid rising costs, with the eastern leg to Leeds scrapped in 2021 and the Manchester leg delayed by a further two years in March.

Costs are believed to have risen due to high inflation and despite the government already having spent £2.3bn on the Birmingham to Manchester section, reports suggest scrapping it would save up to £34bn.