Yorkshire may come off second best in plans for high-speed links

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has asked his high-speed experts to advise him whether it is better to pursue the previous Government's proposals for a direct line from London to Leeds and Sheffield, or to go for the Tory manifesto proposal of a line to Leeds via Manchester.

In the meantime he has given the go-ahead for High Speed Two, the company set up by the last Government to develop plans for a 250mph network, to continue drawing up detailed plans for a line from Birmingham to Manchester which was one part of Labour's favoured "Y" shape network.

But similar work for the other branch of the "Y" – from Birmingham to Leeds – "should be put on hold" until he decides which network to pursue. He wants the analysis of business cases for the two routes next month but it is unclear when he will decide which to go for.

Even if Mr Hammond opts for the "Y" shape – as favoured by businesses and many politicians – and orders planning for the Yorkshire leg to resume, it is feared the North-West route would be more likely to be built first because it would be more advanced. Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts said: "I'll be writing to Philip Hammond. I want to ensure this won't compromise us and mean they build the North-West first."

The Yorkshire Post Fast Track to Yorkshire campaign calls on the Government to build a high-speed rail line linking London direct to the region.

Policy director of Yorkshire and Humber Chambers of Commerce Nick Pontone said: "The business case to bring high-speed rail to Leeds and Sheffield is just as strong as Manchester,"

MP for Leeds North West Greg Mulholland said he would oppose a route via Manchester.