YORK could be in line for a multimillion-pound windfall to kick-start a major development following the high-speed rail announcement, according to a city MP.

Hugh Bayley, MP for York Central, said connecting the East Coast Mainline near York to the high-speed link strengthened the case for the York Central development site, next to York station.

In a Commons debate, he called upon the Government to encourage investment in the site and safeguard land to build additional platforms for High Speed trains.

In reply, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “One of the things that we want to look at with this project is how we get regeneration in areas. This should open up huge potential, especially around station sites, for the north to benefit from connections with the rest of the country.”

Mr Bayley said: “York is one of the most interconnected stations in the north of England and it is best placed to act as an interchange for the whole region.

“I want High Speed 2 to build new platforms at York and York Central is ideally placed to accommodate these. The York Central site is huge and it provides enormous opportunities for York’s continued economic development.

“If York becomes the key interchange between High Speed trains and other rail services, it will benefit the whole region by boosting economic growth.”

Mr Bayley also plans to write to Business Secretary Vince Cable to support an application by City of York Council to the Government’s critical infrastructure investment fund.