THE possibility of a new rail link between London and the North, operated by some of the world's fastest trains, moved a step closer yesterday.

The Shadow Strategic Rail Authority said it was inviting consultants to work on a detailed feasibility study into a high-speed line on which trains could travel at up to 225mph.

Depending on the route, the journey time from London to Newcastle could be slashed to about two hours.

Virgin Trains has plans to run fast services on the East Coast main line as part of his attempt to take over the franchise from GNER.

A Government decision on who will get the new franchise is imminent.

But the authority, which loses its shadow status on February 1, stressed that its 225mph concept was not simply a relief for the busy East Coast line. Several routes being examined would link with existing lines.

The authority's chief executive, Mike Grant, said the aim was to develop the best concept for the line by the end of March 2002.

"Our vision is to improve inter-city rail travel dramatically, boosting regional econ-omies," he said.

The authority's chairman, Sir Alastair Morton, said: "It is now time for the rail industry to put the disruption behind it and begin to move on from its 'nervous breakdown'."