High-speed rail project backed by MPs

A high-speed rail link from London to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds to cost £32bn wins support from House of Commons.

The high-speed rail network linking London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds with 250mph services could offer 'a new era of inter-urban travel in Britain' says the Commons Transport Committee.

The committee's support for the train, which aims to reduce the London to Birmingham journey time to 49 minutes, came on the basis that the route must be extended to Leeds and Manchester.

The government's support has created considerable disapproval within the home counties and some Conservatives, with warnings that the plans will tarnish the countryside and waste a considerable amount of public money.

The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc), which supports the line, implored the government to listen to concerns over whether the investment in the existing rail network might be compromised in favour of the new project.

'The committee is right to point out that high speed should not come at the expense of investment in the existing network,' said Michael Roberts, Atoc chief executive.

'A high speed rail network, beginning with a line between London and the West Midlands, would provide a step change in the capacity, quality, reliability and frequency of rail services between our major cities,' said Louise Ellman, the Labour chair of the transport committee.

'A high-speed line offers potential economic and strategic benefits which a conventional line does not, including a dramatic improvement in connectivity between our major cities, Heathrow and other airports, and the rest of Europe.' she added.

Tory MPs and London mayor Boris Johnson are opposed to the high-speed line, however the government is expected to receive Parliamentary approval.

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