Macclesfield town centre could be transformed if plans to route HS2 trains through the town are adopted, business leaders have claimed. The renewed HS2 plans which have been drawn up could see HS2 trains travelling up to the town from London and then divert off a new high speed track via a connection at Handsacre, before making the way to the town through Stoke.

The economic benefits to all regions around the UK are set to be discussed at our HS2 Economic Growth Conference later this year – supported by HS2 Ltd.

A decision is set to be taken on the proposals, which could see HS2 trains arriving in Macclesfield once an hour, where they would terminate. Department of Transport bosses say that a decision would be taken at ‘the appropriate time’ but business leaders suggest the move is now a step closer after the Government approved a new £400m platform at Crewe Train Station allowing for longer trains to arrive in that station.

That investment into Crewe will mean more services will be able to access the route increasing the possibility of the planned service to Stoke to be extended to Macclesfield.

Chairman of Make it Macclesfield (MiM), Mike Rance, said: ”This has significant implications for the town, not just with respect to rail travel but to the regeneration of our town centre. What we saw with Crewe was that they have been receiving millions of pounds to help improve their town centre, whereas Macclesfield has received very little. If Macclesfield were to become a HS2 destination then we could also get access to that kind of funding. The recent approval by the Department of Transport of the Crewe Hub makes the Stoke HS2 compatible spur possible and though the extension of the service to Manchester is being considered, there is a real possibility that Macclesfield could become an HS2 compatible destination or potentially a terminus.”

Mr Rance also said the money potentially available with the move could be used to create a vibrant new neighbourhood adding: We believe it would have a massive impact on the town. The MiM board believe that this would be a trigger for regenerating our attractive, older buildings and repurpose them for businesses and accommodation. If you look at Manchester and the Northern Quarter area, that could be done here but far more cheaply.”

A final decision on the move is yet to be confirmed by Government, but it’s part of the agenda moving forward. A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said: ”We have carefully considered a range of options for serving Macclesfield, including HS2 trains on the existing line. HS2 services will not start running until 2026, and decisions on the timetable will be made at the appropriate time.

Macclesfield Town Council are said to be ‘excited’ about the proposals which could provide a huge economic boost to the region. Cllr Peter Turner said: ”We’re pleased to hear about the opportunity and we welcome any investment into the town to deliver a sustainable future for Macclesfield and the wider community. We’re aware of the aims and we’re really keen to be involved in any way we can to help promote the case for further investment in the town.

We’ll be hearing more about the potential economic benefits and the huge redevelopment and new development opportunities that could bring to the town of Macclesfield and wider community areas at the HS2 Economic Growth Conference in November – make sure you’re there!