Birmingham’s planned high-speed rail line goes to the wrong places, rail experts have claimed.

With construction of the rail network due to begin next year, industry experts have launched a last-ditch campaign to try to persuade the Government to think again.

They say the HS2 line should follow the path of existing motorways rather than running through the countryside.

And they say this would allow it to include stations in major cities such as Leicester, Liverpool, Darlington and Newcastle - which the planned high-speed line currently misses out.

The changes would be possible by creating a network with trains running at a slightly slower speed of 225mph, instead of the top speed of 250mph currently planned.

This would give engineers far more flexibility when it came to designing the route because it would allow the network to have more bends.

The Government’s high-speed rail line links London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester.

It moved a step forward earlier this month with the official opening of the national HS2 headquarters at Two Snowhill in Birmingham where 1,000 people will be employed.

The alternative plan, known as High Speed UK - or HSUK - has been drawn up by rail engineers Quentin Macdonald, who worked on projects including the £8.6 billion re-development of the West Coast Main Line, and Colin Elliff, who worked for British Rail and as a rail consultant.

Key differences include:

North East

Fog on the Tyne: Newcastle is included in the alternative high speed rail plans
Fog on the Tyne: Newcastle is included in the alternative high speed rail plans

The planned HS2 line stops just before York and connects with the East Coast Main Line, to allow trains to run to Darlington, Durham, Newcastle and York.

But under the alternative "HSUK" plan, a dedicated high-speed line would go to Darlington and Newcastle. There would also be short connecting lines from the high-speed network to Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

Scotland

Edinburgh's stunning skyline in the evening
Edinburgh's stunning skyline in the evening

Under the alternative plan, the high-speed line would continue on to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Trains would also move onto existing conventional track north of Edinburgh, allowing them to continue to Dundee and Aberdeen.

North West

Statues of Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon of the Beatles in Liverpool, which is included in the alternative high speed rail line
Statues of Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon of the Beatles in Liverpool, which is included in the alternative high speed rail line

In the North West, HS2 will run from Crewe and on to Manchester. Some trains would also switch onto conventional track at Crewe and run to Liverpool. But the alternative HSUK plan would see Liverpool included in the high-speed network itself.

East Midlands

Visiting Leicester Cathedral might be easier under alternative high speed rail proposals
Visiting Leicester Cathedral might be easier under alternative high speed rail proposals

The current HS2 proposals include a “Midland Interchange” near the village of Toton, Nottinghamshire, to serve Leicester, Nottingham and Derby. Passengers will travel to the station by road, bus and tram, or by conventional rail lines.

The alternative HSUK route includes a station in Leicester, as well as connections by conventional rail to Derby and Nottingham.

West Midlands

The planned Birmingham Curzon Street HS2 station
The planned Birmingham Curzon Street HS2 station

While Birmingham is at the heart of the planned HS2 network, with a dedicated new HS2 station in Curzon Street, the alternative plan would see high speed trains coming into an expanded New Street station instead.

Read more: HS2 high speed rail's national headquarters opens in Birmingham

Mr Elliff said: “HS2 has been badly designed and to the wrong criteria. The choice of 400km/h (250mph) as the maximum speed is HS2’s first and biggest mistake."

He added: "HSUK has developed an efficient integrated national network that interlinks all major communities.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “The case for HS2 is crystal clear. The economic benefit has been recognised by MPs of all parties who voted strongly in favour of HS2 at the second reading of the hybrid Bill and the Transport Select Committee has been clear the scheme is the only practical way to significantly increase rail capacity.

“It is crucial we press ahead with delivering HS2 on time and budget and we remain on track to start construction in 2017.

“HS2 will have a transformational effect, supporting growth across the country by improving connectivity, freeing up space on our crowded rail network, promoting regeneration, boosting skills and generating thousands of jobs.

"It is a vital part of the Government’s long-term economic plan, strongly supported by northern and Midland cities, alongside our plans for better east-west rail links.”

poll loading

Do you back the planned "HS2" rail network?