High-speed rail 'key to West Midlands' economy'

Speaking at Birmingham's former Curzon Street station, Transport Secretary Justine Greening said a high-speed rail network would bring 8,000 jobs to two West Midlands sites.

The £33bn HS2 project was approved by the government on Tuesday, with phase one from London to Birmingham due to be completed by 2026.

Journeys between the two cities are expected to take 49 minutes, almost half the current one hour and 24 minutes.

Ms Greening also said there was no planned "premium" to travel on the new line.

She added that the project was "key" to the future regeneration and economic growth of the whole region.