A PROPOSED tunnel underneath East Midlands Airport to bring high-speed rail to Notts could be extended by an extra kilometre.
Concerns had been raised that the proposed route for HS2 could affect plans for a new rail freight hub close to the airport, which developers say would create 7,000 jobs.
But Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced that the Government has revised the route to extend the tunnel and avoid the majority of the proposed freight hub site.
An East Midlands Airport spokeswoman said: "The tunnel is expected to be approximately 35 metres deep and we have been reassured there will be no effect on operations at the airport.
"A period of public consultation on the route is to be held between July 2013 and March 2014, of which East Midlands Airport will be part of."
The new line was to travel through a 1.9km tunnel beneath the airport and across the site of the proposed rail freight hub.
But concerns were raised by Leicestershire County Council, North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen and developers Roxhill Developments Limited, that the high-speed rail route threatened the feasibility of the proposed development.
In response, the Government has come up with a revised option to extend the tunnel by an extra kilometre. It will consult on the new route later in the year before a final decision is made.
Mr McLoughlin, said: "These changes have the potential to deliver huge economic benefits for the East Midlands on top of the already considerable opportunities HS2 will bring the region.
"They also show that we are both maximising the economic impact of HS2 as well as listening to concerns of those affected by it."
George Cowcher, chief executive of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, added: "This is welcome news and further underlines the additional economic value that HS2 will bring to the East Midlands."
Kate Bedson, senior development director at Roxhill, said: "This now allows us to consult with the public and other bodies on our plans before submitting our application at the end of the year."
The Government announced earlier this year that it wants to build a new station at Toton Sidings as part of plans for a high-speed line linking London with Birmingham and Leeds.
Trains will travel between Toton and the capital in less than an hour when the line opens in 2032.