New high-speed rail 'would end need for Heathrow expansion'

Plans for a new high-speed rail service are to be revealed on Monday in a bid to demolish the case for expansion at Heathrow.

The new study, which is published by the 2M coalition of London authorities against the expansion, shows that many domestic and shorthaul flights could be made by rail. The High Speed North service would provide a new fast link between London and Scotland and connect about a dozen cities. It is based on a single spine route alongside the M1.

The scheme calls for dramatic improvements in public transport access to Heathrow with links to the new rail line. 2M said making it easier for people in the North to travel to Heathrow by rail would reduce the need for internal flights. The new route would provide fast, direct connections to European cities. For example, Sheffield to Paris would be just over three hours, Manchester to Amsterdam would take about four hours and Leeds to Frankfurt five and a half.

Wandsworth council leader Edward Lister said: "We want a debate. We have a government that can't see further than the next runway."