The HS2 train improvement programme has to go ahead, a senior union leader has stated.

Mick Whelan, the general secretary of Aslef - Britain's trade union for train drivers, has told the Labour party to stop treating the scheme as a "political football".

Speaking to the Independent, Mr Whelan made it clear that he supports the new line, which will help nurture business ties between London, the Midlands and the north of England.

"We need HS2. We need it for the right reasons, the economic and business reasons and the socio-economic reasons that are going to drive growth for the next 20 or 30 years," he added.

Mr Whelan called on Labour leader Ed Miliband and shadow chancellor Ed Balls to give HS2 their full backing, which could remove some of the doubt about the future of the scheme. 

HS2 has been dogged by controversy since it was announced, with residents in the Home Counties worried it will destroy beautiful countryside, while concerns have also been raised about the spiralling costs of the project.