HIGH-SPEED rail links between the Midlands, Yorkshire and London could see a trip from our region to the capital taking just 80 minutes, writes Richard Catton.

The Department for Transport has announced a huge consultation will now take place early next year, after committing to a £33 billion scheme to build a super-fast “Y-shaped” link.

Andrew Waller, leader of City of York Council has pushed for faster rail links and said the fight will go on.

He said: “What this means is the start of a long-term discussion about connectivity with London.

“We will have to see how the route develops, but there is a business case for improved links. What we need now is to have an electrification of the York to Leeds line.”

Coun Waller believes that would complement any future high speed service from Leeds, and also mean electric-powered trains could use the route as a diversion if there were problems on the East Coast Mainline. After announcing the project yesterday, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said the high-speed rail network “will change the social and economic geography of Britain”.

He said: “We will consult in the new year on the strategic roll-out of a high-speed rail network and on our preferred route for the first leg between London and Birmingham.

“But I can announce the Government’s preferred option for high-speed rail north of Birmingham will be for two separate corridors.

“One direct to Manchester, and then connecting on to the West Coast Mainline, and the other via the East Midlands and South Yorkshire – with stations in both areas – before connecting to the East Coast Mainline north of Leeds.”