An online petition has been launched calling for the introduction of a North-South high-speed rail link serving Birmingham.

The £30 billion proposal, which is being looked at by the Government, was also the subject of a supportive report by the influential Institution of Civil Engineers this month.

A 200mph line, linking London with Scotland but also serving major cities such as Birmingham and Manchester, was first put forward by the now defunct Strategic Rail Authority.

* Tell us your view on this story. Get in touch by email, messageboard or by sending a web letter to the editor *

The proposal now forms part of a wide-ranging long-term transport review being conducted by former British Airways chief executive Rod Eddington.

To reflect the increasing interest in the case for high-speed railways, pressure group The Railway Forum has launched a new website - www.highspeedbritain.com - to act as a focus for those wishing to advance their cause.

The forum, which is sponsored by train operating companies, Network Rail and passenger transport executive Centro, believes high-speed rail can be a key element in support of economic growth and national prestige.

"It sometimes seems as though we have lost the confidence that we can build big rail schemes that will make a substantial contribution to our economy, social inclusion, the environment and regional regeneration', said Adrian Lyons, director general of the Railway Forum.

"In fact, the evidence of Channel Tunnel Rail Link is that we can do it. The challenge for all those who want to see high-speed rail linking our cities is to help make the case - signing up to the petition to pledge support is an essential part of this."

He added that Britain's economic and social structure was characterised by a dynamic and growing Southeast matched by either relative or absolute population and job decline in the other English regions, Scotland and Wales.

"This is clearly undesirable now and unsustainable in the long run. High-speed rail can help redress this by 'shrinking' and rebalancing the country.

"What is needed now is a national debate.

"We need to consider how high-speed rail can benefit Britain."

Initially the website will act as an online petition for people who want to commit themselves to developing the policies that will lead to the creation of a national high-speed network across the country.

However, plans are under way to link with other websites promoting the idea and, ultimately, to provide a range of essential data and briefing material on high-speed rail.

In its report, the ICE said journey times between London and Scotland would be slashed to under three hours and added the 215mph line should serve major cities such as Birmingham.

It would be faster than the upgraded West Coast Main Line, which began a 125mph service between London Euston and Glasgow earlier last month.

The ICE said a new link could cut air and road use and would take ten years to build.

The Rail Passengers Council said the case was "mounting steadily" for a new high-speed line because the West Coast and East Coast Main Lines were operating close to capacity.

A spokeswoman said: "A new high-speed line would be a cost effective solution if the right balance can be struck on who pays for it."