Metro Chairman Councillor Chris Greaves has welcomed the Yorkshire Post's Fast track to Yorkshire campaign calling on the Government to build a high-speed rail line linking London directly with the region.

"In addition to drastically cutting journey times between Leeds and London, a high-speed rail link would bring a wide range of benefits to the local economy in terms of investment and regeneration and agglomeration," he said.

"A network serving Leeds and other key cities would stimulate growth, recovery, regeneration in our economy," he continued.

Councillor Greaves explained that Metro, along with its partners in South Yorkshire, is currently undertaking research for a business case that would provide ammunition for Leeds City Region leaders to press for a high-speed rail link.

He also confirmed that he is writing to the Government's Rail Minister Lord Adonis calling for a meeting on high speed rail.

Lord Adonis recently said that key cities in northern England and Scotland must be included in any plans for high speed rail but this does not guarantee a link for Yorkshire.

Through its campaign the Yorkshire Post campaign aims to highlight the importance of building a new high speed link to the region.

Find out more about the Yorkshire Post's 'Fast Track to Yorkshire' campaign and how you can add your name to the petition.