A NEW North-South high speed rail link could prove a massive boon for North-East business, it was claimed last night.

The proposed line cutting through the heart of England, linking major cities, could be built by 2015 to carry 190mph trains.

Such a project has been mooted before, but it has been given added impetus with the backing of Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) chairman Richard Bowker.

Supporters say the new route would ease pressure on the congested West and East Coast Main Lines and on the M1 and A1 road networks.

It could also bring much-needed economic investment to the North-East.

Rachel Spence, head of policy at the North-East Chamber of Commerce, said: "The business community would very much welcome this."

The SRA has commissioned a feasibility study into the high-speed line, which could cut journey times from London to Manchester or Leeds to less than 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of rail passengers suffered fresh travel misery yesterday because of rail strikes.

Services across the North-East were hit because of walkouts by workers at Arriva Trains Northern affecting almost half of its services.

Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union struck from midnight in the latest 48-hour walkout in a long-running dispute over pay.

A spokesman said: "The response from the members has been very strong and the dispute is getting bitter now. It is set to run on and on."