The route for a £34 billion high-speed rail line capable of cutting journey times between Birmingham and London to 45 minutes has been announced.

Transport secretary Lord Adonis was publishing the Government’s views on how high speed rail could be extended north of Birmingham to Scotland.

Lord Adonis is expected to announce that 1,100-seater HSR trains will arrive and depart from a new London station, with the route of the line likely to pass through the picturesque Chiltern Hills to Birmingham.

There are two options for stations in the second city – one in the centre near to the site of the historic Curzon Street Station and one close to Birmingham International Airport.

Civic leaders expecting to hear that both stations can be built along with a link taking passengers to New Street station, currently being rebuilt with £600million.

People in Wolverhampton would be able to get to the capital within an hour and 15 minutes by taking a train to Birmingham and changing to a high speed service.

Work would be expected to start around 2017 with the line opening before the end of 2025.

Network Rail chief executive, Iain Coucher, said: “There is now a broad political consensus that Britain must have a high-speed rail future. High-speed is a vital part of a modern, dynamic economy.

“By slashing journey times, high-speed rail can drive economic growth and boost jobs. It would also take cars and lorries off the road, cut domestic flights and release capacity on the existing rail network; transforming services even for those communities not served directly by a high-speed line.

“It is the low-carbon, sustainable transport of the future.”