DETAILS of a multi-billion pound high-speed rail network, which could vastly speed up Liverpool’s link with London, are due to be announced today.

The High Speed Rail (HSR) line is expected initially to take trains from a newly-built station in London to Birmingham, at speeds of up to 250mph.

The project, which could be up and running by 2025, promises to deliver 1,100-seat trains leaving London for the North at a rate of more than 14 per hour.

The cost and route of the network will be made public by Lord Adonis this morning, followed by new details on the plans to take HSR farther north, with a massive potential knock-on effect for Liverpool.

One plan, favoured by the Government, is a “Y-shaped“ line splitting at Birmingham and continuing north up the east and west coasts, likely to benefit Liverpool.

The Conservatives are said to dislike that option and instead favour an “S-shaped” route winding through Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds.

If the line becomes a reality, work would not start until 2017 at the earliest, with a London-Birmingham line unlikely to open before the last part of 2025.

Initially, there would be 14 trains an hour on the route. If the line is extended north, there could be 18 trains an hour.

Michael Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: “The commitment that all three parties have shown to HSR is a vote of confidence in the industry, and will help place train travel at the heart of a successful low-carbon economy

“HSR will bring faster journey times and much-needed extra capacity, but there are many other priorities to tackle such as improving key commuter networks, electrifying our main lines and investing in new rolling stock.

“The new high-speed line must be a commercial success to ensure it can be paid for in the long run.

“London to Birmingham is important, but Manchester and Leeds are potentially bigger prizes that could bring bigger economic and environmental benefits.”

Whatever is announced by Lord Adonis, the transport minister, could be subject to major revision if the Tories become the new government.

Liverpool would be able to link into any major North-South route via a spur to the city.