Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen has welcomed the decision of the Integrated Rail Report to site the East Midlands Hub at East Midlands Parkway rather than Toton.

But he adds that the HS2 route through the district between Measham and Ashby is 'unclear' - and plans to meet Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to clarify the path it will take.

The North West Leicestershire MP says he will also lobby for changes which will allow the Measham Wharf development to go ahead

The plans unveiled yesterday (Thursday) will see the HS2 line run to the existing East Midlands Parkway Station and then onto Derby and Nottingham with the Midland Mainline to be electrified.

Mr Bridgen, a long time opponent of the scheme said: "As the HS2 budget was ballooning beyond even my pessimistic predictions, I welcome the commonsense solution of cancelling the line north of Parkway whilst the existing conventional line is electrified.

"I first raised the possible use of East Midlands Parkway as the Hub station five years ago and put together a dossier for the Transport Secretary and Minister at the time.

"It seemed to me to be a logical solution given the extensive parking provision, close transport links to the M1 and M42 with the duelled A453 offering easy access, existing links to Derby, Nottingham and Leicester together with 700 acres of development land with the decommissioned Radcliffe on Soar Power Station. Toton offered nothing on this scale and made little strategic sense.

"I am only disappointed that it's taken this long for this to be seen, despite my lobbying of Ministers, neighbouring colleagues and Councils.

"Having the Hub at East Midlands Parkway reduces unnecessary costs and has far more potential than Toton.

"Parkway is five minutes away from East Midlands Airport and the Nottingham tram system, indeed it gives the opportunity to link into both of these.

"I also welcome the blight being removed from the top of my constituency around Kegworth.

"However the alignment of the line through the district is slightly unclear.

"I have been lobbying for a change to allow the Measham Wharf development to go ahead.

"And I am seeking a meeting with the Secretary of State to clarify the path the line is now likely to take."