The planned link between London and Birmingham, carrying trains that will be doing up to 225mph, would pass east of Brackley and then through Greatworth, Helmdon, Chipping Warden, Lower Boddington, Wormleighton, Ladbroke and Southam. The trains would not stop in this area, though.

Plans to use the Chiltern line via Banbury were ruled out.

The Department of Transport said there would be public consultation on the proposal and work would not start until after 2017, though the Conservatives said they would begin it earlier if they were elected.

The new route, opening in about 2026, would mean the journey time between London and Birmingham would be cut by more than 30 minutes to just 49 minutes, with up to 14 trains an hour.

It would pass between Leamington Spa and Coventry and run into the eastern side of Birmingham.

The project would cost at least £15.8 billion and create 10,000 jobs.

In the longer term, it is hoped that the link would be extended, with links to northern England and Scotland.