Tories attacked over 'snub' to proposals for high-speed rail route

THE Tories have been accused of "rowing back" on their commitment to high-speed rail after they refused to see Government plans for a new multi-billion- pound route.

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis offered both opposition parties an advanced look at the proposals, which will reveal for the first time which constituencies will be affected by the first stage of the line between London and Birmingham.

He is seeking a political consensus ahead of a White Paper which is due to be published in the next few weeks.

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The plan, drawn up by Government-owned company High Speed Two (HS2), is understood to show a precise route for the track to within five metres of accuracy in urban areas and 25 metres in the countryside. It would cut through Tory heartlands in Buckinghamshire and fiercely contested swing seats in the West Midlands – prompting accusations the Tories were playing politics and did not want to be seen endorsing a scheme that might upset voters.

But Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers hit back, claiming she simply did not want to "close down the options" ahead of a consultation process.

"We are not going to take Labour's route on trust," she said. "We are going to reserve the right, if we think HS2 haven't come up with the correct solution, to look again at the route."

The full HS2 report will also contain less detailed plans for taking the network north, potentially through Yorkshire.

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The Yorkshire Post campaign Fast Track to Yorkshire, calling for a direct 200mph service from the region to London, has been backed by scores of politicians and business leaders.

Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "This stance by the Tories clearly suggests that they're rowing back from their commitment on high-speed rail."