A PLANNED high speed rail link between London and Birmingham will not go through High Wycombe, it was revealed last night.

The proposed High Speed 2 project would lead to trains being able to travel between the two cities in less than an hour.

The final route has not yet been confirmed – but Chiltern District Council was told at its meeting last night it would cut through the Chiltern hills.

Cllr Nick Rose, the council's cabinet member for transport, said he had been “permitted to divulge” by rail bosses the fact the new line would go through the corridor between the A4010 and A41, although it could be placed further north towards Milton Keynes.

He said: “There are a number of famous gaps in the Chiltern hills and it's possible it will go through one of them.

“I have made it clear my suggestion is for the route to follow the A41 and to include a station at Milton Keynes, which will regenerate and enhance the economy of that community.”

Cllr Peter Jones said he “welcomed” Cllr Rose's “positive comments”, adding: “I was expecting him to say 'It's a good thing, so long as it goes through somewhere like Colchester'.”

But Cllr Rose said Cllr Jones was mistaken in believing he was in favour of the planned 225mph train line through the district.

He said: “It would cut a 75 metre wide swath through the countryside. It's not going to be a particularly attractive sight.

“High Speed 1 has caused a great deal of concern and that's probably the reason why High Speed 2 are playing their cards very close to their chest and not revealing any more than they can. I certainly don't welcome the proposals.”

Cllr Rose added mooted plans to tunnel under the Chiltern hills were “a bit optimistic”.