Metro chairman Councillor James Lewis has welcomed the news that Sir David Higgins will be taking over as chairman of HS2.

He described the appointment of the Network Rail boss as an opportunity for the planned high-speed line linking London with Leeds and the north to be seen as an integral part of the country’s future rail network rather than a stand-alone project.

“With the East Coast route reaching capacity and West Coast Main Line forecast to be full again in ten years, despite a refurbishment that cost £9bn and meant years of disruptions and delays for passengers, we need action now,” Coun Lewis said.

“London’s £15bn Crossrail scheme is well underway and there is talk of Crossrail Two, cost of which the Mayor of London Boris Johnson recently revealed had risen by £2.8bn to £15bn, but what’s needed is a new route to keep the whole country moving and the south linked with the north.

“With his Network Rail background, I hope that Sir David will start to adopt this integrated approach to the future of the country’s train services and I look forward to meeting him.”