DAVID Mowat has backed a new rail line that could add an extra £8billion and create around 40,000 new jobs in the north west.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening announced that the new high speed rail line HS2 linking London to Birmingham will eventually link Manchester and the north west.

The Warrington South MP has spoken in favour of the project and Warrington Chamber of Commerce has also backed HS2.

Mr Mowat said: “Inter-operable trains will be able to use the new HS2 line to Birmingham before transferring to the old line to get to Warrington and all stations north to Glasgow.

“The Government is still prepared to invest large amounts of money on projects that can bring prosperity and jobs to the English regions.”

Figures show that in the final year of the Labour government capital spending on transport in London was nearly four times higher than in the north west.

Mr Mowat added: “It is a disgrace and it needs sorting.”