Transport bosses have revealed the latest plans for the high speed railway which will connect London, Crewe and Manchester.

It’s part of the second phase of the project, with the nearest stop to Macclesfield being at Manchester Airport.

According to the Government’s Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, the western leg of HS2 will continue north from Crewe to Manchester Airport, and from Manchester Airport on to Manchester city centre, where a new HS2 station will be built next to Manchester Piccadilly.

There will also be a connection to Liverpool and to the existing West Coast main line allowing HS2 services to continue north, serving stations to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

There are also proposed links to the West Midlands and Leeds.

He described the project as “a major boost for the UK’s future economic prosperity and a further clear signal the country is open for business”.

He is expected to release more details at a press conference today.

Mr Grayling said: “Our railways owe much to the Victorian engineers who pioneered them, but we cannot rest on their legacy when we face overcrowding and capacity problems.

“HS2 is an ambitious and exciting project and the government is seizing the opportunity it offers to build a transport network fit for the 21st century; one that works for all and makes clear to the world that Britain remains open for business.

“The full HS2 route will be a game-changer for the country that will slash journey times and perhaps most importantly give rail passengers on the existing network thousands of extra seats every day. They represent the greatest upgrade to our railway in living memory.

“But while it will bring significant benefits, I recognise the difficulties faced by communities along the route. They will be treated with fairness, compassion and respect and, as with Phase One, we intend to introduce further compensation which goes over and above what is required by law.”

The Government originally set out plans for HS2 Phase Two in 2013 but then developed that into two stages.

Phase 2a from the West Midlands to Crewe that was announced last year will open in 2027.

Phase 2b from Crewe to Manchester and from the West Midlands to Leeds, South Yorkshire and the East Midlands will open in 2033.