High-speed rail not in UK's best interest, council claims

The current proposals for a high-speed London to Birmingham rail link do not represent the best interests of the UK, a council has said.

Warwickshire County Council issued the statement as it prepares for a public consultation into HS2, a 250mph link between the two cities.

The consultation is to begin on Monday. The council has already said it opposes the scheme.

It has said the economic benefits "are not credible".

The council has said it will examine in detail all information made available and will prepare a full report, which will agree the response to the consultation, for a cabinet meeting on 14 July.

It has joined with 13 other local authorities in its opposition to the scheme, saying it does not believe the business proposal stacks up.

"We are not opposed to the need for higher speed rail per se and fully acknowledge the need for strategic improvement to the national rail infrastructure, but cannot agree with the current proposals as the economic and environmental benefits are not at all credible," it said.