Quote: A government-commissioned report says the alternative to a new HS2 high speed rail link would see 14 years of weekend route closures and longer journeys.
The report, by Network Rail and Atkins, says upgrading existing rail lines would severely affect the East Coast, Midland and West Coast mainlines.
It says that would double travel times between Leeds and London.
The study will inform the government's updated business case for HS2, which will be presented on Tuesday.
It will be the fifth official presentation given by the government on HS2. | 
