A coalition of councils has rallied together to oppose the Government’s proposals for a high speed rail project (HS2).

Transport secretary Philip Hammond said the scheme would ‘redraw Britain’s economic map’ by creating jobs and transforming business opportunities in the north of England.

The Government is proposing a ‘Y’ shaped network heading north from London. It would be delivered in two stages; the first to the West Midlands, and the second onwards to both Manchester and Leeds.

But despite the plan having cross-party political support, the backing of engineers and many environmental groups, the councils criticised the business plan and choice of route.

A joint statement issued by the councils – including Buckinghamshire CC, Hillingdon LBC and several districts – said: ‘The authorities along the route have come together to oppose the proposals for high speed rail as they are currently proposed.

‘We do not believe that the business case stacks up and therefore cannot support the route suggested by government and are actively working on a plan to strongly object to the proposals.

‘We are opposed to the current high speed rail proposals as they are presently outlined and do not believe that they are in the best interests of the UK as a whole in terms of the benefits claimed in the business case.

‘We are not opposed to the need for higher speed rail per se and fully acknowledge the need for strategic improvement to the national rail infrastructure but cannot agree with the current proposals as the economic and environmental benefits are not at all credible.

‘We do not believe that all the other alternatives to achieve the transport capacity, regeneration and environmental benefits have been fully explored by the Government and with in excess of £30bn proposed to be invested, we owe it to the nation to ensure these are fully explored.’

Critics argue the line will destroy vast parts of English countryside and never fully recoup its £32bn cost through ticket sales.

Launching a five-month consultation on the plans, Mr Hammond said: ‘We must invest in Britain’s future. High speed rail offers us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the way we travel in the 21st century and would help us build a modern economy fit for the future.

‘Countries across Europe and Asia are already pressing ahead with ambitious plans for high speed rail, while some of our key rail arteries are getting ever closer to capacity. We cannot afford to be left behind - investing in high speed rail now is vital to the prosperity of future generations.’

Labour’s shadow transport secretary, Maria Eagle, said the Government’s plans did not go far enough and called for the route to go beyond Birmingham and onto Leeds and Manchester.

‘A national high speed network has the potential to bring our major cities closer together, boosting investment and economic growth in the north of England,’ she added.