Boris Johnson under fire on opposition to HS2 bid

Furious business leaders today criticised Boris Johnson for trying to wreck plans for a £32 billion high-speed rail line through the West Midlands.

The London Mayor has urged a rethink, saying that he cannot back the project as it stands. The Government is proposing a high-speed rail line from London to Birmingham by 2026, with legs to Manchester and Leeds by 2033.

Plans include a potential link to Heathrow, plus two stations in Birmingham.

But Mr Johnson has raised concerns about its impact on London, and has doubts as to whether Euston station – which is the starting point of the line, known as HS2 – will be able to cope with the extra passengers.

He has called for a new Tube link at the station, and a review of the route through west London.

Mr Johnson, who backs the scheme in principle, said: "These proposals need to give consideration to their impact on residents in London.

"There is a great case for investing in a high-speed rail network, which has the potential to generate major benefits for both London and the UK, but that must also be supported by the infrastructure for our great city to be able to handle the extra passengers."