The stretch of HS2 planned to be built through the area around Ashby and Measham could be scrapped according to reports.

The Times reports that a review of the entire scheme is to be reviewed as costs for the high speed rail network continue to soar.

It says that abandoning the scheduled 40-mile Birmingham to East Midlands Parkway route is one of the options behind considered.

In 2021, Boris Johnson's Government announced it was axing most of the eastern second leg of the project — from East Midlands Parkway to Leeds — to find cost savings. 

Now, however, the Financial Times reports that some senior government figures have discussed killing the remaining part of the eastern leg, from Birmingham to East Midlands Parkway, to cut costs even further.

That stretch of the line would provide a Nottingham to London time of just 57 minutes.

But while the route is planned to run through North West Leicestershire, residents in the district would not feel any of the benefits.

If it goes ahead, it is not expected to be completed until 2040 at the earliest.

The Department for Transport is reportedly about to commission HS2 Ltd, the Government-owned company asked to deliver the line, to re-evaluate the scheme.

Further delays to the completion of other phases are also on the agenda.

The projected cost of HS2 has increased from £32billion, when it was approved, to £72billion.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is said to the sceptical about the benefits of HS2, according to The Times.

Sunak is believed to have pushed for cuts to the project when he was Chancellor, but could not convince the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

A study named Operation Blue Diamond is examining ways to cut costs across the entire project.

North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen has been vocal about the line cutting through the region - and has supported plans to re-open the Ivanhoe Line to passenger services between Burton and Leicester.

If the line is relaunched, it would take in both Ashby and Coalville.

Ashby Civic Society has also been critical of the effect HS2 construction work would have on the town.