Views on a Bill to extend HS2 from Crewe to Manchester and beyond, which could 17,500 jobs across the North, are being sought ahead of the consultation deadline at the end of the month.
The consolation was launched after the government introduced the 'High Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill' to the House of Commons in January.
If backed, the government said the extension would allow travel from London to Manchester to be cut by around 55 minutes and Birmingham to Manchester by up to 45 minutes.
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It added that the proposed new jobs include hundreds of highly-skilled permanent roles such as at rolling stock depots which would be established north of Crewe as well as in Dumfries and Galloway.
The HS2 project currently includes new stations at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport as well as new lines to Leeds and Liverpool as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
The Government said part of the new high speed line would help cut journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool to 35 minutes and Leeds to Liverpool to around an hour and a quarter.
It added the construction of HS2 to Manchester will allow capacity to double, or more, on the routes between Manchester and London/Birmingham.
Anyone can respond to the consultation, and feedback will inform Parliament’s consideration of the Bill, which seeks powers to construct and operate the Phase 2b Western Leg.
The overall aim of the consultation is to ensure that Parliament is aware of the public’s views on the environmental impacts of the scheme before they vote on the principle of the Bill at Second Reading.
Leonie Dubois, HS2’s head of consultation and engagement said: "Extending HS2 to Manchester will benefit towns and cities all the way up to Scotland, bringing the UK’s economic regions closer together and increasing capacity on the rail network.
"This will be the first new transport corridor constructed into Manchester since the 1970s, and alongside the benefits that HS2 brings, the network provides the vital infrastructure needed to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail, enhancing rail services, connectivity and economic growth for communities right across the North."
For more information about the Bill and details of how to respond to the public consultation, visit www.hs2.org.uk/crewe-manchester.
