DIRECT services from Berwick, Newcastle and Durham to Heathrow Airport could be possible under the Government’s high speed rail plans.
The Department for Transport has revealed the possibility among figures outlining the potential savings its £32bn infrastructure plans could achieve, if they get the go-ahead.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond is making a last-ditch push to secure support for the new high speed line as he prepares to close a consultation on the London to Birmingham leg of the line at the end of this month.
It is proposed the route would then split off in a Y-shape to Leeds and Manchester, with trains travelling further North to Newcastle and Scotland on the existing line.
The Northumberland to Heathrow figures are compared against the time it takes passengers to get from the North to London and change on to services to the airport via existing routes.
Mr Hammond says this plan would mean the possibility of a direct service from Berwick to Heathrow with a journey time of three hours and 14 minutes, saving nearly two hours on current journey times.
From Durham the journey time to Heathrow would be two hours and 11 minutes, saving two hours and seven minutes.
From Newcastle the savings are thought to be around one hour and 44 minutes.
Mr Hammond said: “Our proposals for high speed rail present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redraw the economic map of the UK.
“The benefits will not simply be felt along the line of route but will spread right across the country.
“By linking to the existing rail network, we create the opportunity for high speed trains to reach many of our great Northern towns and cities such as Berwick-upon-Tweed, Durham, Darlington and York, not just those on the line of High Speed 2.
“This will offer significant journey time savings and increased connectivity to the UK's leading industrial and economic power-houses.
“With less than one week to go before the consultation closes, it is vital that people speak up for the scheme and ensure that the vocal minority who oppose HS2 don't deprive Britain of the chance to build the infrastructure it needs for the 21st century.”
Mr Hammond’s plans for new infrastructure face strong and vocal opposition from many of the mainly Conservative constituencies through which the first part of the line will pass.
It is thought his Department has received many more submissions against the plans than it has in favour of them, prompting campaigners to fight a last-minute battle to recruit more Northern support.
Figures out yesterday claim up to 40,000 jobs could be created as a result of the new investment.
Newcastle Council leader Nick Forbes, a keen supporter of the line, said: “The North East's geography means our region needs excellent connectivity between core cities, with good rail, road, air and sea connections that support growth and connectivity with other regions of the UK. High Speed Rail can keep us at the forefront of economic growth.”
