TOTON remains the best option for a high-speed rail station serving the East Midlands, it is claimed.
The leaders of both Nottingham City Council and Notts County Council have reiterated their desire for the proposed new High Speed 2 (HS2) line to stop at Toton Sidings.
It comes after Derby City Council revealed it was drawing up an alternative plan for the line to pass through Derby instead.
The Government picked Toton Sidings over Derby as its preferred site for the region's high-speed rail station when it announced a provisional route earlier this year.
Nottingham City Council leader, Councillor Jon Collins, said the proposed station at Toton was still the best location for the whole region.
He added: "It makes sense for HS2 to serve Nottingham as the area's only core city and, although earlier in the process we were looking for it to come to the city centre, we recognise and accept the constraints on this.
"With the right connections, the station at Toton will be just 12 minutes from Nottingham and 15 minutes from Derby."
Councillor Jane Urquhart, the city council's portfolio holder for planning and transport, was today due to address ministers in support of the new rail line and the choice of Toton as the station for the East Midlands.
Nottingham City Council and Notts County Council have also agreed to spend £35,000 investigating the economic boost of bringing the new line to Toton.
County council leader, Councillor Alan Rhodes, said: "The council is fully committed, 100 per cent, to Toton as that will serve both Nottingham and Derby.
"Bringing HS2 to Toton, combined with dualling of the A453 and the much-needed improvements to the Midland mainline will help make our county a place where businesses can flourish."
Derby City Council leader, Councillor Paul Bayliss, said his authority is to draw up plans for an alternative HS2 route via Derby as part of the Government's consultation into the plans.
Mr Bayliss said he hopes it will convince the Department for Transport to change its mind, adding that it would be cheaper, create more jobs, and make more money for the local area.
The new high-speed line is intended to link London to Birmingham by 2026, with branches to Manchester and Leeds planned by 2032.
When built the line will carry 250mph trains and reduce journey times between Nottingham and London to 68 minutes. It currently takes around 105 minutes.
George Cowcher, chief executive of the Derbyshire and Notts Chamber of Commerce, said: "Although providing value for money is extremely important, it is not the only criteria which should be taken into account when reaching a decision on where to site the proposed new HS2 station for the East Midlands.
"There is also the environmental impact to consider, but ultimately, it's all about which site provides the best connectivity for businesses and other passengers."
