Nottingham City Council has welcomed the government's announcement of the preferred route for the next phase of the HS2 high-speed rail network.

The routes run from Birmingham northwards to Leeds and Manchester including a station at Toton sidings on the Leeds line. Consultation is due to conclude by the end of 2014, with work expected to begin in 2017 on the first phase to Birmingham. The full proposed network should be complete by 2032.

Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transportation, Councillor Jane Urquhart, said: "We have pushed very hard for Nottingham to benefit from the next phase of the Government High Speed rail plans. Greater connectivity with other parts of the country is a vital part of ensuring that cities and regions outside London can attract investment, creating jobs and securing a sustainable, prosperous future.

"We are pleased that Toton sidings has been selected as the East Midlands stop. We accept that it may not be economically viable to build a new high speed line right into the heart of the city but this doesn't mean that selected trains cannot use a combination of existing tracks and the new high speed line to serve destinations off the core route. We will continue to press for such services into Nottingham.

"Toton will give us a predicted 51 minute journey time to London and a quick and direct link to Heathrow Airport for the first time, as well as much better connections to Birmingham, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland.

"Residents and businesses on the north and west of the conurbation, including the Local Enterprise Zone and Nottingham University, will benefit especially from this location and we will explore options for creating swift, reliable links between the city and Toton, such as extension of the tram line or rail or bus shuttle services.

"However, we are very clear that any High Speed rail proposals should not affect the upgrading and electrification of Midland Mainline to achieve Nottingham city centre to London in 90 minutes, which may remain the best option for some passengers and will bring benefits much sooner than the High Speed proposals."

HS2 is seen as the most ambitious rail infrastructure project since the original Victorian network was put in place. It is expected to increase employment and help rebalance the economic geography of Britain, closing the gap between the South East and the rest of the UK.

All HSR enquiries should be directed to:

Tel: 020 7944 4908 (Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm)
Email: HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

For information on the background and proposals please see the HS2 website 

For the latest plans and documentation please see the Government's HS2 website