High-speed rail on way to region – but it may take time

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis is set to propose building a single 250mph line to the West Midlands, with the next stage being for it to head further north with routes to both the North West and the Yorkshire region.

Journey times from Yorkshire to London would be slashed but with construction on the first stage of the line unlikely to start until 2017 it could be two decades before commuters and businesses in this region benefit.

The Government will insist, however, that any high-speed trains are capable of using normal lines so passengers may be able to complete part of their journey at higher speeds even before the network is complete.

While Lord Adonis is unlikely to announce which of the branches would be built first, he will come under immediate pressure from campaigners in the region to build a route to Yorkshire first amid fears the economy would be badly hit if Manchester and the North West were given priority.

Today's announcement will mark a significant success for the Yorkshire Post's Fast Track to Yorkshire campaign, which has championed the need for the region to be connected.

But Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers said Labour had got it wrong for the economy and wrong for the environment.

"Their line to Birmingham leaves the North, Scotland and Wales out of the massive social, economic and regeneration benefits of high-speed rail."