A campaign group backing HS2 have said it is essential that all areas of the country benefit from high speed rail.
Greengauge 21 director Jim Steer made his comments after the Queen’s Speech last week.
But he called for the Government to look at the “bigger picture” of how high speed trains could serve other areas of the UK.
“It is essential that the country has the opportunity to think strategically,” he said.
“We need to ensure that all English regions as well as Scotland and Wales benefit from access to the high speed rail network.
“Much can be done by extending HS2, but we need to have the whole picture.”
The Greengauge 21 group have drawn up a vision for a national network of high speed rail, including east-west links as well as the HS2 project, which will cut through parts of Lichfield and the surrounding villages.
Their plan also aims to connnect all major cities and main main airports to the network.
“We’d like Department for Transport to engage in the process of reviewing and updating our plan, using new lines and route upgrades to create a network of real relevance to the whole of Great Britain.”
