Government Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis, announced today plans to bring high-speed rail to Leeds.

The new generation of high speed travel will include both Leeds and Sheffield, despite earlier fears that it would only offer rapid links to London from the West Coast.

The initial phase of the scheme will be built to Birmingham, and then proceed in a y-network to both Leeds and Manchester.

The plans will cut journey times from Leeds to the capital to one and a half hours. Although it is some years until the project will become a reality, Rachel was delighted that the government is backing modern transport for Yorkshire: "It is vital that high speed rail doesn't bypass our region. I welcome the proposed route as it offers an opportunity for everyone to benefit from 21st century transport around the country".