HS2 groups welcome the new service

Chiltern Railways’ new service, which began operating on Monday, cuts journey times between Leamington and London to a minimum of 70 minutes while journeys between Birmingham Moor Street and Marylebone can now be completed in 90 minutes.

Campaigners say the service is a reason why HS2 is not needed.

Peter Delow, Cubbington group chairman, said: “The new Chiltern Mainline service is a marvellous example of what can be achieved by the investment of comparatively small amounts of money to upgrade our existing railways. “It is in sharp contrast to the huge sums required for the HS2 proposals and the terrible environmental impacts.”