High speed trains from London to Glasgow are likely to stop in Birmingham city centre, the man behind the multi-billion pound project has forecast.

Sir David Rowland, chairman of the High Speed Two project, distanced himself from claims that the 220mph services would not be able travel into central Birmingham because New Street and the city’s other stations are already operating to capacity.

In an interview given to a national newspaper, Sir David said he found it difficult to envisage high speed trains bypassing Birmingham.

He said: “All of the advice from those that already have high speed networks is you go to city centres. It is difficult to see in terms of flows from central London to central Birmingham why people would find it attractive to be dropped off at a non-city centre solution.”

His comments appear to contradict the view of Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis, who has warned on several occasions that a lack of capacity at New Street and the cost of building an alternative station for high speed services may mean that the new trains do not come into the centre of Birmingham.

Sir David’s view is crucial because he is advising the Government on the best route for High Speed Two, which is expected to run from central London to Heathrow, on through the West Midlands to Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

One of the options he is likely to be considering, backed by the city council, is building a high speed terminus at Moor Street Station.

His comments gave fresh impetus to the campaign for two high speed stations in the West Midlands – one at Birmingham International, for the airport and the NEC, and one in Birmingham city centre.

John Morris, head of corporate affairs at Birmingham International Airport, said there was no question of choosing only one of the two stations.

Mr Morris said the government had to recognise the economic advantages of having stations at the airport/NEC and in the city centre.

He urged politicians to get behind the airport’s plans for a Birmingham International Hub, connecting high speed rail services with local trains, buses and coaches.

The potential of travelling by rail between the airport and central London in less than 50 minutes would help drive expansion of the M42 corridor, pouring millions of pounds of additional investment into the West Midlands, he forecast.

Mr Morris added: “The M42 corridor is a major economic driver. No-one is suggesting that the high speed service does not call at Heathrow, and what’s good for London is good for Birmingham.”