Birmingham To London In 49 Minutes?

The government have announced recommendationsAirport, is that a high speed station serving the
for a high speed rail link between London andairport would help to attract new airlines and also
Birmingham, at an estimated cost of £15.8 -create jobs.
£17.4billion, with a future proposal of a two routeFull public consultation has been promised, particularly
extension on the east and west which will link toas some 440 homes are under threat of demolition.
existing lines at Manchester and Leeds, providing aThere is also concern that the route, as yet, does
direct service to Glasgow and Edinburgh. These twonot include links to the Channel Tunnel and Heathrow.
route extensions are currently estimated to cost aWork on the proposed route is not expected to
further £12.6 - £14.2billion. These new links will becommence before 2017 at the earliest, with a current
capable of carrying trains at speeds of up to 250mph.eight year completion programme.
The proposal also calls for two new Birmingham railNetwork Rails view of the proposals is that it will
stations, one at Birmingham International Airport anddrive economic growth and also boost job prospects.
one at Eastside on the corner of Fazeley Street and 
Bartholomew Street in the city centre, close to theWith a General Election imminent and the
now derelict Curzon Street Station which closed inConservative Party, if elected, in favour of high
1966, with possible links to New Street and Snow Hillspeed links, the route proposals may well change due
stations. A recent study by consultants KPMGto current political, financial, environmental and public
predicted that a high speed rail could create 68,000concerns. Assuming that the current or amended
new jobs in the West Midlands and increase averageproposals bear fruition, Birmingham will become the
annual salaries by £700.00.  The view of Paulcentral hub for all forms of transportation in the UK
Kehoe, Chief Executive of Birmingham Internationaland even into Europe.