Birmingham and Solihull business leaders today welcomed Birmingham's inclusion in Network Rail's plans for a high-speed London to Scotland rail line. 

Plans for the £34 billion high-speed transport network would see it run from central London, via Birmingham, Manchester, Warrington, Liverpool and Preston to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Bridget Blow, President of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCI) says that rail is fundamental to the economic success of Birmingham and the West Midlands.

"The development of a high speed transport network with Birmingham at its crux has the potential to transform our regional economy, driving commerce and productivity forward."

Under the proposals, 200mph trains could whisk passengers from London to Birmingham in just 46 minutes. Eurostar and Virgin Trains have both shown an interest in running direct trains from Birmingham to Europe, which could mean rail journeys to Paris and Brussels in just three hours.

Today's announcement from Network Rail does not necessarily mean a high-speed line will be built, but merely outlines Network Rail's preferred option.