Insider Media Limited

Coventry is "going to have a lot of the pain and none of the gain". That's according to Doug Squires, the president of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce's who has raised concerns over the proposed High Speed 2 rail link between London and Birmingham. He told Insider he is "not convinced" of the plan and the £34bn cost is "frightening".

His comments came after the chamber's chief executive Louise Bennett said the government is failing to convince companies that the HS2 rail link is good for businesses. About 50 businesses turned up to an event organised by the chamber discussing the pros and cons of the planned link from Birmingham to London last week.

Squires shared his personal views with Insider. He said: "I think Coventry is going to have a lot of the pain and none of the gain.

"To be truthful, the distance from Coventry to London does not merit a high-speed train for me. I would say a 180mph train would be quite adequate - a 240mph one would scare me. The cost of this is quite frightening."

Squires fears that a high-speed service to Birmingham would lead to a reduction in London services to Coventry forcing business people to drive to Birmingham to catch a train to the capital. He said he was concerned the line would be "devastating" to the countryside and questioned why supporters have failed to include plans for freight services on a high-speed line, which he thinks would make more sense.

He pointed out how plans for an airport at Rugby caused excitement under the previous government but they were later dropped.

He said: "It was a complete red herring - is this going to be the same?

"I do need something more to justify the cost and the carving up of the countryside."

Chamber chief executive Louise Bennett agrees more would have to be done if the government is to persuade businesses there are enough benefits to outweigh the costs.

She said: “The whole reason for this meeting was to allow our members to hear the hard commercial facts about HS2 and why government believes it will be beneficial for Coventry and Warwickshire and the wider region.

“Many members had heard the environmental reasons why people do not want the development, but they wanted to hear the business case.

“That was simply not conveyed strongly enough. If there is a good case for the line, it did not come across for many in the room and that was a lost opportunity for those who believe HS2 is vital.

“We will, as a membership organisation, be guided very strongly by the wishes of our members and will be in a position to contribute to the consultation exercise early next year.

“Business people can be pretty pragmatic and I sensed that many had come with an open mind, to find out the facts and then shape their opinion on what they heard. I doubt many came out with a burning conviction that the project was a must for the regional or national economy.”

Stephen McFarlane, from HS2, and Roger Allonby, from Advantage West Midlands, outlined the case for the development. They said it was likely to bring a better than "two-to-one return on investment". The HS2 line is also being backed by Birmingham's chamber of commerce and the city council.

Supporters of the scheme highlight how the lhe line could lead to 18 trains an hour running between Birmingham and London. They would carry up to 1,100 passengers, be 400 metres long and could reach speeds of 250 an hour, reducing travelling times from one hour 29 minutes, to 49 minutes, it is claimed.

Opponents to the scheme dispute the government’s financial figures, feel the rail link could have an adverse impact on Coventry station and the city centre as well as damaging the environment.

They are now set to give evidence to the Transport Select Committee at the House of Commons which is investigating the high-speed rail issue later this month.