The seven Conservative MPs across North Wales, including Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes, have welcomed the government’s confirmation that the HS2 project will proceed.

Their support comes after it was announced by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the plans to bring high speed rail travel to the UK will go ahead, despite receiving criticism over its cost.

Confirmation that the plans will go ahead means jobs are set to be created to help move the project forward.

Phase one of the plans will see links made between London and Birmingham, while the second phase will see the lines extended to Manchester and Leeds.

Despite the plans not including lines into Wales yet, the North Wales Conservative MPs are confident believes more convenient and quicker links across the UK will benefit the Welsh economy.

A spokesperson for the seven said: “The Prime Minister reaffirmed this government’s commitment to the delivery of HS2 as part of the levelling up of the regions within the UK.

“The economy and life of North Wales are critically dependent upon its east/west links – for business, tourism, leisure, international travel, higher education, specialist health care and much more.

“Therefore we completely endorse the Prime Minister’s statement that ‘many in the north [are] crying out for better east/west links instead of improved north/south ones.’”

With North Wales planning on upgrading its own rail system in the coming years, the MPs also highlighted the importance of Crewe’s inclusion in the HS2 plans, giving North Wales a closer link to the new system.

“It is vital for the development of North Wales that plans for its own faster railway service are now included in the scoping and planning of High Speed North,” they added.

“That starts now by ensuring that the Crewe Hub is configured accordingly within HS2.

“We will be pressing ministers in the Welsh and UK governments for guarantees that this provision will be made.”

The first phase of the HS2 plans are not expected to be completed until between 2028 and 2031, while the second phase is expected between 2035 and 2040.