WINSFORD and Middlewich will be bisected by the High Speed Two (HS2) rail line under proposals unveiled on Monday.

The Government’s preferred route for the £32 billion railway will diverge from the path of the West Coast Main Line (WCML) north of Crewe, bearing east to cross the A54 and A533 on a path through Stanthorne Hall.

A junction south of Crewe will enable 250mph-capable HS2 trains to continue to Liverpool on existing rail lines at slower speeds, opening up the possibility of trains stopping at Winsford.

Stopping at Winsford would shave more than 30 minutes off journey times between the town and London.

Speaking at Crewe station on Monday, Home secretary Theresa May told the Guardian the line was ‘good news for the north west’ and was necessary to create jobs and alleviate overcrowding on the WCML.

She added: “This is about economic growth and taking key decisions about our infrastructure.

“It would be easy for us to say we’re not going to do anything, but that would be irresponsible.”

Ms May said compensation would be available for properties affected by the line.

Chancellor George Osborne said HS2 would be an ‘engine for growth’ in the North and Midlands, creating tens of thousands of jobs across the country.

He acknowledged widespread opposition to the line from communities along its route which face ‘very difficult’ disruption to their lives, but said the economic benefits were ‘pretty compelling’.

Numerous residents associations and wildlife organisations are opposed to the line.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust is worried that ancient woodland and Sites of Specific Scientific Interest would be affected .

Middlewich MP, Fiona Bruce said she was ‘relieved’ that the preferred route avoided the Congleton Constituency.

She said: “My constituents have endured 18 months of uncertainty with rumours circulating that the line would go right through strong and stable communities in the heart of the and affect prime agricultural land. The uncertainty has caused problems for homeowners and farmers in the Congleton Constituency which as a result of today’s announcement will now hopefully end.”

The Government has commenced a 3 month consultation on its proposals to take High Speed 2 from Birmingham to Manchester, ending on the April 29.

HS2 route and stations.

The western spur of HS2will split into a Y shaped network to Manchester and Leeds north of Birmingham.

The route will pass directly beneath Crewe station in a tunnel.

From Winsford, the spur will pass south west around Northwich through Lostock Gralam before splitting into a line serving Manchester and Manchester Airport.

There will be five station stops along HS2: In Manchester - alongside the existing Piccadilly station, and at Manchester Airport next to the M56 between Warburton Green and Davenport Green.

In the East Midlands there will be a stop at Toton, between Nottingham and Derby, one mile from the M1.

At Sheffield, there will be a stop at Meadowhall shopping centre. In Leeds there will be a stop at New Lane in the South bank area, connected to the main station by a walkway.