Labour to propose alternative route to HS2

THE Labour Party is today expected to unveil an alternative route for the high speed rail link between Birmingham and London.

Reports suggest Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle will call for the controversial route through the Chilterns to be scrapped in favour of a line running from Heathrow Airport – rather than Euston – to Birmingham and skirting the M40 corridor.

The proposal is unlikely to win support from business leaders in the West Midlands as it will negate the purpose of the route in the first place, namely a high speed link between Birmingham and the capital city.

The preferred route would also enhance the prospects for Birmingham Airport to utilise spare capacity to free up some of the congested airspace around Heathrow and the south east.

Ms Eagle is expected to propose the alternative route during a speech to the Airport Operators Association.

The opposition party is also expected to say it no longer supports plans for a third runway at Heathrow, claiming the environmental impact of the scheme is too great.